This paper discusses the viability and readiness of the photovoltaics (PV) market in Nigeria. An opportunity for decentralized sources like PV has been opened up by the finding that it is currently impractical for the centralized grid to meet all of Nigeria's rural electricity demand. PV is identified as the most economical decentralized source to contribute to rural development. The current low level of PV utilisation in the country has been identified as being chiefly due to lack of awareness among potential buyers and energy planners of its large-scale applicability. With increasing awareness, some industrialist and government agencies (as well as some wealthy individuals) have now installed PV systems for home-lighting, water-pumping, and rural electrification, etc. This paper reviews this activity and also suggests some other new uses. Generally the PV installations have been found to be successful, and so PV markets have been springing up to meet the demand. The role the government could play in fully introducing and harnessing PV technology is also discussed in this paper.
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