Integrated solar electrification and community empowerment in a burkina faso Village: A feasibility and design study

This paper examines the practicality and design of an off-grid solar mini-grid aimed at providing electricity to the rural community of Nienega-Mossi in Burkina Faso, which is currently experiencing significant energy poverty. This study combines spatial analysis through geographic information syste...

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Main Authors: Bertrand Sawadogo, Amel Benmouna, Mohamed Becherif, Shimaa barakat, Mohamed Samy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-09-01
Series:Results in Engineering
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025017578
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author Bertrand Sawadogo
Amel Benmouna
Mohamed Becherif
Shimaa barakat
Mohamed Samy
author_facet Bertrand Sawadogo
Amel Benmouna
Mohamed Becherif
Shimaa barakat
Mohamed Samy
author_sort Bertrand Sawadogo
collection DOAJ
description This paper examines the practicality and design of an off-grid solar mini-grid aimed at providing electricity to the rural community of Nienega-Mossi in Burkina Faso, which is currently experiencing significant energy poverty. This study combines spatial analysis through geographic information systems to enhance network layout and utilizes comprehensive load profiling to understand household energy demand patterns. The evaluation of system sizing and performance was conducted using simulation tools, and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was utilized to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) while adhering to reliability constraints. The optimized design, which includes photovoltaic generation, battery storage, and a rule-based energy management system, showed competitive LCOE and high reliability. The findings emphasize that solar mini-grids are both technically and economically feasible as scalable options for rural electrification. They hold the promise of improving sustainable energy access, fostering local economic growth, and bolstering community resilience in sub-Saharan Africa.
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series Results in Engineering
spelling doaj-art-a8258ce9e900400c96551c92f98136752025-08-20T03:21:56ZengElsevierResults in Engineering2590-12302025-09-012710568610.1016/j.rineng.2025.105686Integrated solar electrification and community empowerment in a burkina faso Village: A feasibility and design studyBertrand Sawadogo0Amel Benmouna1Mohamed Becherif2Shimaa barakat3Mohamed Samy4University Marie et Louis Pasteur, UTBM, CNRS, institute FEMTO-ST, F-90000 Belfort, FranceUniversity Marie et Louis Pasteur, UTBM, CNRS, institute FEMTO-ST, F-90000 Belfort, France; ESTA, School of Business and Engineering, Belfort, FranceUniversity Marie et Louis Pasteur, UTBM, CNRS, institute FEMTO-ST, F-90000 Belfort, FranceDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, EgyptDepartment of Electrical Engineering, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt; Corresponding author.This paper examines the practicality and design of an off-grid solar mini-grid aimed at providing electricity to the rural community of Nienega-Mossi in Burkina Faso, which is currently experiencing significant energy poverty. This study combines spatial analysis through geographic information systems to enhance network layout and utilizes comprehensive load profiling to understand household energy demand patterns. The evaluation of system sizing and performance was conducted using simulation tools, and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) was utilized to reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) while adhering to reliability constraints. The optimized design, which includes photovoltaic generation, battery storage, and a rule-based energy management system, showed competitive LCOE and high reliability. The findings emphasize that solar mini-grids are both technically and economically feasible as scalable options for rural electrification. They hold the promise of improving sustainable energy access, fostering local economic growth, and bolstering community resilience in sub-Saharan Africa.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025017578Burkina fasoNetwork topologyOff-grid mini-gridRural energy accessSolar electrificationTechno-economic analysis
spellingShingle Bertrand Sawadogo
Amel Benmouna
Mohamed Becherif
Shimaa barakat
Mohamed Samy
Integrated solar electrification and community empowerment in a burkina faso Village: A feasibility and design study
Results in Engineering
Burkina faso
Network topology
Off-grid mini-grid
Rural energy access
Solar electrification
Techno-economic analysis
title Integrated solar electrification and community empowerment in a burkina faso Village: A feasibility and design study
title_full Integrated solar electrification and community empowerment in a burkina faso Village: A feasibility and design study
title_fullStr Integrated solar electrification and community empowerment in a burkina faso Village: A feasibility and design study
title_full_unstemmed Integrated solar electrification and community empowerment in a burkina faso Village: A feasibility and design study
title_short Integrated solar electrification and community empowerment in a burkina faso Village: A feasibility and design study
title_sort integrated solar electrification and community empowerment in a burkina faso village a feasibility and design study
topic Burkina faso
Network topology
Off-grid mini-grid
Rural energy access
Solar electrification
Techno-economic analysis
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590123025017578
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