Rooftop solar energy as an alternative source of energy for daily use by local communities from Kamdini sub-County, Oyam district, Uganda

Volume 5, Issue 2, April 2021     |     PP. 46-62      |     PDF (359 K)    |     Pub. Date: April 26, 2021
DOI: 10.54647/environmental61220    99 Downloads     6026 Views  

Author(s)

Daniel Ameny, School of Sciences, Nkumba University, P.O. Box 237, Entebbe, Uganda.
Alex Barakagira, School of Sciences, Nkumba University, P.O. Box 237, Entebbe, Uganda; Faculty of Science, Kyambogo University, P.O. Box 1, Kyambogo, Kampala, Uganda.

Abstract
In Uganda, most parts of the country are not connected to the national grid that supplies hydroelectricity and those that are connected, occasionally face intermittent power supplies that stagnate smooth running of daily household activities and some microbusinesses. This prompted some members of the local community to start utilizing rooftop solar energy as an alternative source of energy for their household use. A total of 63 households and 67 microbusinesses were randomly and systematically selected respectively, to determine the distribution and reasons for the use of rooftop solar energy; the reliability of roof top solar energy to meet the people’s energy demands; and to explore the cost implications members of the local community incur while utilizing rooftop solar energy. It was revealed that rooftop solar energy is utilized by most (95%) of the respondents for lighting, charging mobile phones, air conditioning among others, because it is reported to be reliable. A fairly positive relationship (γ= 0.492; P<0.05) between previous and present use of rooftop solar energy by members of the local community implies the continuous use of rooftop solar energy in the study area. The respondents incurred expenses for acquisition of solar panels, inverters, stabilizers and other solar accessories. The study revealed a relationship between the individual’s income and acquisition of roof top solar energy accessories (γ= 0.057; P=0.560). This implies that the more the income of the respondents, the higher the purchasing power of the solar power accessories. There was no association between the level of education of the respondents and use of rooftop solar energy (χ2=37.38; df=1; P=0.05) in the study area. In addition, household size of the respondents was not associated with the use of rooftop solar energy (χ2=71.48; df=1; P=0.05). In a long run, rooftop solar energy once installed is more reliable, less costly and it is more preferred to be used compared to other energy sources.

Keywords
Alternative Energy Demands; Energy Costs; Power Reliability; National Power Supplies; Uganda

Cite this paper
Daniel Ameny, Alex Barakagira, Rooftop solar energy as an alternative source of energy for daily use by local communities from Kamdini sub-County, Oyam district, Uganda , SCIREA Journal of Environment. Volume 5, Issue 2, April 2021 | PP. 46-62. 10.54647/environmental61220

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