Impact of solar photovoltaic lighting on indoor air smoke in off-grid rural Ghana

Abstract

Nearly 75% of the rural households in Ghana depend on kerosene lanterns as the main source of lighting after sunset. However, concerns are being expressed on indoor air smoke and heat as well as fire hazards associated with the use of kerosene lanterns. Largely as a result of socio-economic and environmental benefits, public solar photovoltaic (PV) electrification projects have been implemented to provide alternative lighting in off-grid communities in Ghana. The purpose of this paper was to assess the impacts of solar PV lighting on indoor air smoke in rural households. Using the with/without comparison method, 209 solar-electrified and non-electrified households were surveyed to assess impacts. The study results indicated that solar PV lighting is likely to reduce the proportion of household members being affected by indoor smoke from kerosene lanterns by 50%. Furthermore, solar PV lighting is likely to reduce the proportion of household members who get blackened nostrils from soot associated with kerosene lanterns by nearly a third. This paper maintains that, though the effects identified by this study may be short-term, further research is needed to investigate both the medium- and long-term effects on human health. Given the low income levels of the rural poor and the costs involved in maintaining PV systems, effective policies and incentives for low-income earners are fundamental steps toward improvement in quality of life and widening of access. © 2008 International Energy Initiative, Inc.