Policy and institutional failures: Photovoltaic solar household system (PV/SHS) dissemination in Ghana

The introduction of photovoltaic solar household systems (PV/SHSs) into rural electrification programmes in the developing world has brought in its wake dissemination/adoption and sustainability challenges. In order to stimulate wider dissemination, some authors have advocated the greater involvement of the private sector. While the private sector has played a key role, this paper argues that effective government institutional and policy frameworks are the most pivotal elements in the push to disseminate PV/SHSs to the rural poor in the developing world. Using two case studies, the paper contextualises the link between what, at present are inadequate government institutional and policy frameworks and the low level of PV/SHS dissemination in rural Ghana.