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The Status of Solar Energy Utilization and Development in Ethiopia

Ashenafi Bekele Mulatu*, Workneh Ayall Negash, Menberu Teshome

Ethiopia is endowed with abundant solar renewable energy resources, which can meet the ambitions of nationwide electrification. However, in spite of all its available potential, the country’s energy sector especially solar energy is still in its infancy stage. The main objective of this systematic review is to identify the present status of solar energy utilization and development in Ethiopia and any possible challenges that may hinder its’ utilization and development. Regarding the methodology of the study, a systematic review was used to collect data. Data were collected from selected articles and journals based on inclusion and exclusion criteria; mainly based on their level of relevance to the topic under study. Hence, this paper was prepared by reviewing the findings of empirical research results which were conducted in different parts of Ethiopia. Literature was collected thoroughly from main scientific databases like the web of science, journal of citation report, scopus, google scholar, citation tracing and science direct. Those articles dealing with the status of solar energy utilization have been considered for the selection process by using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The criteria employed to incorporate different related studies into a systematic review were the time of publication, similarity, type of publication and scope of the journal between 2015 and 2022 years. From the total of 192 articles assessed, only 12 were identified for this systematic review. Most of the articles included in the study were case studies and qualitative and mixed studies. The analysis result of this research shows that increasing the participation of photovoltaic energy in the renewable energy market requires raising awareness regarding its benefits; increasing the research and development of new technologies; implementing public policies and a program that will encourage photovoltaic energy generation. It also found that the main applications of solar energy in Ethiopia are dominated by telecommunications, water pumping, public lighting, agriculture, water heating and grain drying.