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Review
. 2024 Mar 16;10(7):e28009.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e28009. eCollection 2024 Apr 15.

Adaptation of solar energy in the Global South: Prospects, challenges and opportunities

Kingsley Ukoba  1 , Kelvin O Yoro  2 , Orevaoghene Eterigho-Ikelegbe  3 , Chinedu Ibegbulam  4 , Tien-Chien Jen  1
Affiliations
Review

Adaptation of solar energy in the Global South: Prospects, challenges and opportunities

Kingsley Ukoba et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

The Global South comprising economically disadvantaged regions of the world face various challenges such as limited access to electricity, clean water, industrialization, and food security. Solar energy, as a sustainable and abundant resource, holds great potential to address these challenges. Despite its immense potential, the Global South encounters hurdles related to technology adoption, infrastructure, and financial constraints. This review examines the history, classifications, global statistics, merits, and demerits of solar technology in the Global South. Furthermore, it delves into various applications of solar energy, including extreme environments, residential electricity generation, transportation, and industrial usage in this region. This study concludes by providing new insighths and highlighting the significant role solar energy can play in shaping the future of the Global South if challenges are adequately addressed, and opportunities are embraced.

Keywords: Energy crisis; Global south; Opportunities; Solar energy; Solar energy applications.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Global South countries (Group of 77 countries and China) [18].
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Share of land required to generate all energy from Solar (Energy Monitor, 2021).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin film solar panels.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The main components of a solar panel system.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
A picture of the working operation of solar energy.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Classification of solar technology.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Cumulative power capacity by technology, 2010–2027 (IEA, 2022).
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Different photovoltaic architectures [82].
Fig. 9
Fig. 9
The importance of Solar energy.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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