Barriers and opportunities for off-grid solar home system in Afghanistan based on stakeholders perception : a SWOT-AHP analysis | |
| Author | Kharotai, Wahidullah |
| Call Number | AIT RSPR no.EB-17-02 |
| Subject(s) | Photovoltaic cells--Afghanistan Renewable energy sources--Afghanistan Energy development--Afghanistan |
| Note | A research submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration in Energy Business Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Research studies project report ; no. EB-17-02 |
| Abstract | Electricity access remained as one of the major challenges in many developing countries. Renewable energy sources such as off-grid solar home system (SHS) have been considered as one of the feasible solutions. However, this system may work differently in every country due to economic, political, social and geographical differences that serve as the system’s barriers or opportunities. This research aims to identify the prevailing barriers and opportunities for off-grid SHS in Afghanistan based on the perceptions of stakeholders from the government, non-government institutions and the SHS end users through in depth interview and semi structured questionnaire. The author combined SWOT-AHP-TOWS matrix to analyze stakeholders’ perceptions and policy implications that are critical to the successful implementation of the SHS for the entire country. The SWOT-AHP analysis results indicate that: first, the prevailing SHS’s strength is the people awareness on the immense socio-economic and environmental benefits from off-grid SHS at different political and administrative level; second,its major weakness is the poor coordination and unclear responsibilities among stakeholders; third, its prevailing opportunity is the fact that Afghanistan is in a suitable solar radiation zone; and fourth, its major threat is the lack of government responsive policies and regulations exclusively for the development of off-grid SHS. Using the TOWS matrix, the research policy implications are as follow: 1) the government shall develop National SHS program to address issues related to the technical, financial, monitoring and evaluation, operation and maintenance of the SHS projects; 2) the government shall develop the public private partnership; 3) the government shall formulate policy that can improve the professional and technical skills and capabilities through institutionalized vocational programs and trainings; 4) the government shall formulate enabling policies to increase the capability of financial institutions to offer loan for the SHS end users. |
| Year | 2017 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Research studies project report ; no. EB-17-02 |
| Type | Research Study Project Report (RSPR) |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) + School of Management (SOM) |
| Department | Other Field of Studies (No Department) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Energy Business (Business Administration) (EB) |
| Chairperson(s) | Dhakal, Shobhakar; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Singh, Jai Govind;Badir, Yuose; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | AFG Western Basins Water Resources Management Management Project / Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Research Studies Project Report (M.B.A.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2017 |