Microfinancing and Energy Poverty - Leveraging on Pay-As-You-Go Home Systems to Drive Solar Usage in Rural Areas of Zimbabwe
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.479Keywords:
Energy Poverty, Pay-As-You-Go, Solar Home System, Rural Areas, MicrofinancingAbstract
The main objective of the study was to investigate the role of Pay-As-You-Go solar home systems in alleviating energy poverty in rural areas of Zimbabwe. The study employed an interpretivism research paradigm, utilising a qualitative research design. Data was primarily collected via fifty in-depth interviews, thirty-five of which were conducted with end-users of PAYG solar home systems. Secondary data was also gathered from documentary analysis to buttress the study. The collected qualitative data was analysed using NVivo software. Findings from the study revealed that PAYG solar home systems have enabled rural households to save on their energy needs. The findings also revealed that solar home system kits have played a key role in improving lives of Zimbabwe’s rural populace. The study concluded that even though PAYG solar home systems have been playing a pivotal role in the energy poverty matrix of rural households, a lot more need to be done to increase their uptake in rural communities. The study recommended that the Zimbabwean Government should embark on intensive solar awareness campaigns and educational programmes targeted at rural households with the aim of increasing uptake of not only solar home systems, but other solar products as well in rural communities.
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