Abstract

The use of solar photovoltaic (PV) for powering electronic devices such as radio and television can contribute to increase access to information and entertainment in off-grid rural communities. However, there is a lack of quantitative data on impact of solar PV electrification on television viewing and radio listening. This paper relied on primary data from cross-sectional surveys of solar-electrified and non-electrified households in rural Ghana using questionnaires which were developed into a database. The study results showed that solar-electrified households could view television for 2.5 hours/day, while in non-electrified households it was 1.5 hours/day. The avoided cost of television viewing using solar PV instead of car battery was US$ 1-3/month. The study found a linear relationship between incomes above US$ 1.08/day and television ownership. Further, the results showed that on average radio listening in solar-electrified households was 5 hours/day, while in non-electrified households it was 6.3 hours/day. The avoided cost of radio listening using solar PV instead of drycell batteries was US$ 1.08/month. We conclude that the difference in the results suggests an overall impact of solar PV on television viewing and radio listening. Once quantitative data are made available, the decision to use solar PV for off-grid electrification will be apparent.

 

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