IMPACT OF SOLAR ENERGY UTILIZATION ON RURAL LIVELIHOOD TRANSFORMATION IN RWANDA. A CASE STUDY OF MUSHA SECTOR, RWAMAGANA DISTRICT (2018 - 2023).

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the impact of solar energy utilization on rural livelihood transformation in Rwanda. A case of Musha Sector(2018-2023).To achieve this, the study was guided by the following specific objectives: to determine the effect of the use of solar energy in Musha Sector,to analyze the extent to which the use of solar energy contributes on standards of living improvement in Musha Sector and to examine the challenges faced by citizens in using solar energy in Musha Sector. Our hypotheses were there is a significant impact of use of solar energy in Musha Sector and there are challenges faced by citizens in using solar energy in Musha Sector.This study used 83 respondents made up from 638, by using the Alain Bouchard formula. The results found that Specific objective: To determine the effect of the use of solar energy in Musha Sector . The research found that 96.3% of respondents strongly agreed that solar energy has improved on communication system by making charging of phones easier and cheaper in Musha Sector while 84.3% of respondents strongly agreed that solar energy has improved on security by improving lighting system. Furthermore, 72.2% of respondents agreed that solar energy has improved education in Musha by improving lighting system for reading and solar energy has improved on environment by reducing on air pollution and deforestation respectively while 28.9% of respondents strongly disagreed with the statement. 90.3% of respondents agreed that solar energy has improved health in Musha by reducing on air pollution while 6% of respondents were neutral with the statment. Moreover, 60.2% of respondents agreed that solar energy has improved business in Musha by reducing on cost of energy. Addition, 90.3% of respondents agreed that solar energy has increased knowledge and skills while using it while 36.1% of respondents said other effects..The results found that 96.3% of respondents and storing energy and intermittency respectively while 12% of respondents were neutral with the statement. In addition, 72.2% of respondents confirmed that the lack of adequate knowledge to maintain the system. Furthermore, 60.2% with theft of solar energy. In addition, weak light while using solar energy was another challenge. The research has indicated that respondents are challenged with storing energy. As recommendation, innovation and development of store energy should be taken into consideration and companies should offer the competitive prices for their products and services and Security of solar panels should be improved on.