A Comprehensive Review on Status of Solar PV Growth in Uganda

View/ Open
Date
2019Author
Mugagga, Reuben Gad
Chamdimba, Hope Baxter Nqcube
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Uganda is faced with a challenge of huge energy deficit just like many other developing countries in
Africa. Currently, only 26.7% of the total population has access to electricity. Energy being the life –
blood of any growing economy, subsequent endeavors and strategies need to be put in place in
order to expand the use of renewable energies for socio-economic development and environmental
sustainability. Uganda being endowed with plenty of solar energy resource, its role in achieving
national ambitions of Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) cannot be underestimated. This paper
therefore reviews the growth of Solar Photovoltaics (PV) in Uganda that was birthed in the 1980’s
and continues to mature steadily today contributing 4.24%(50MW) to the national grid with several
un documented off – grid systems. This progress has been realized under different market
segments inclusive of the pico and macro solar home systems, Institutional PV, mini-grids,
telecommunications and street lighting. Notwithstanding the prevalent challenges, there are
numerous existing opportunities for solar PV development consisting of the financial,
environmental, Institutional and the socio-economic factors. With more government and different
stakeholder engagement however, this growth in the country could be accelerated further as the
costs of the technology continue to plummet.