The challenges of community-based solar energy interventions: Lessons from two Rwandan Refugee Camps

摘要

The paper presents evidence fromthe performance assessment of two solar energy interventions. Specifically, anevidence base was built around two community co-conceived standalone photovoltaic-battery systems, whichwere deployed in two refugee camps in Rwanda. We found that for both installations (a micro-grid and a communityhall electrification system) energy consumption levelswere low, showing that sizeable energy consumptiongaps can still develop when co-conceived interventions are deployed. The consumption gap led to lowperformance ratios (33 and 25 respectively for the micro-grid and community hall system). To guide furtherwork and improve the sustainability of community interventions, we draw a number of design principles for futureenergy interventions in similar contexts. To deliver sustainable energy transitions for refugees, there needsto be amove towards co-creating community interventions that promote self-governance to position communitiesas users, maintainers and suppliers of energy services, throughout an intervention's lifetime.