Emerging Technology Penetration: The Case of Solar Electricity in Nigeria

Abstract

Considering the huge wastage associated with the present energy production and consumption pattern in Nigeria, solar electricity (SE) is acclaimed to be of great potentials as a viable alternative to fossil fuels and is being considered by policy makers to contribute to improving energy efficiency, security and environmental protection. The veracity of such claim is being ascertained in this study through analysis of solar electricity utilization for lighting, refrigeration, ventilation, water pumping and others by just 5% of about 100 million Nigerian rural dwellers who lack access to national grid. The study deduced that increase in rural access to SE will yield tremendous carbon credits for Nigeria under the clean development mechanism and that generating more SE at cheaper cost will enhance policy support for green energy. This connotes a great future for microelectronics and nanotechnology in processing high efficiency multi-junction solar cells and nanosolar utility panel being optimized for utility-scale solar electricity systems.