Prospects and Challenges of off-grid Solar Energy

The issue of energy is one of the crucial development factors as well as engines in both rural and urban areas. Without sustainable energy source and use, development could not be sustainable as well as environmentally friendly. Developing countries mainly are facing unprecedented energy challenges with a growing demand of people both in urban and rural settings. To keep energy sustainable and expand its coverage to those who still are in big demand, more focus is needed to be on renewable energy as a best alternative. Out of which, solar energy is at the top of renewable energy alternatives for many reasons that include; it replaces grid based electricity, uses relatively simple technology, needs simple maintenance and operation, it produces energy in a silent mode, it harness only the sun light with no cost and its durability to remote peripheral villages with an off-grid power. The study focused on assessing the prospects and challenges of an off-grid solar energy use in rural households of Ganta-Afeshum wereda one of the mountainous districts of the Eastern zone of Tigrai regional state inhabited by more than 100,000 population size. The study intends to examine the potentia