Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique

Flugencio Punguane; Jossias Arnaldo Vilanculo; Marsilio Onesio Neves de Andrade

doi:doi:10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11

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Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique

Flugencio Punguane, Jossias Arnaldo Vilanculo, Marsilio Onesio Neves de Andrade^*

Published in Journal of Energy and Natural Resources (Volume 15, Issue 1)

Received: 17 November 2025 Accepted: 12 December 2025 Published: 20 January 2026

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Abstract

This study assesses the technical, economic and social feasibility of implementing photovoltaic solar systems for rural electrification in the Mapai district, Gaza province, southern Mozambique. The research was conducted in the locality of 16 de Junho, in the village of Regua, involving ten households without access to the national electricity grid. The methodology included a socioeconomic and energy survey, identification and calculation of daily electrical loads, estimation of average energy demand, and technical sizing of the photovoltaic system based on local solar irradiance conditions ranging from 5.0 to 5.5 kWh/m²/day. Field surveys, direct observation and measurements were carried out, and the collected data were processed and analysed in Microsoft Excel. The dimensioning covered the main components of the photovoltaic system, including the solar generator, battery bank, charge controllers and inverters, ensuring reliability, autonomy and compatibility with household energy needs. The proposed system, a standalone Photovoltaic Solar System (SPS), is validated as the most suitable solution. An economic comparison was performed between the total installation and operational costs of the photovoltaic system and the hypothetical extension of the public grid. The results demonstrate that the photovoltaic system is technically viable and economically advantageous in the long term, due to the absence of monthly tariffs, reduced maintenance requirements and greater predictability of operational costs. From a social perspective, the adoption of photovoltaic systems enhances energy inclusion, reduces inequalities and significantly improves living conditions, contributing to local sustainable development. The findings indicate that decentralized solar electrification constitutes a clean and efficient solution for remote rural communities, particularly in Mapai, where access to modern energy services remains limited. The study recommends the expansion of similar systems in other rural regions as a strategic pathway to promote sustainable development and support national and global efforts toward universal access to clean energy.

Published in	Journal of Energy and Natural Resources (Volume 15, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11
Page(s)	1-9
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2026. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Photovoltaic Systems, Rural Electrification, Energy Access, Technical and Economic Feasibility, Solar Irradiance

References

[1]	Bazilian, M., & Nussbaumer, P. (2021). Off-grid energy access and its contribution to rural development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 135, 110–123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2020.110123
[2]	EDM – Electricidade de Moçambique. (2022). Report on Solar Irradiation and Rural Electrification in Gaza Province. Maputo: EDM.
[3]	FUNAE – Energy Fund. (2021). National Report on the State of Decentralized Electrification in Mozambique. Maputo: FUNAE.
[4]	Funane, F., Tamele, A., & Matola, C. (2021). Solar home systems in rural Mozambique: Performance and social impacts. Energy Reports, 7, 1005–1016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2021.07.052
[5]	INE – National Institute of Statistics. (2023). Energy and Housing Statistics in Mozambique 2023. Maputo: INE.
[6]	International Energy Agency. (2022). World Energy Outlook 2022. Paris: IEA. https://www.iea.org/reports/world-energy-outlook-2022
[7]	International Renewable Energy Agency. (2022). Renewable Energy Statistics 2022. Abu Dhabi: IRENA. https://www.irena.org/publications
[8]	Cuamba, B. C., Matavel, C. E., & Mondlane, J. A. (2013). Energy for sustainable development in Mozambique: Linking energy access to poverty reduction. Energy Policy, 62, 136–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2013.07.019
[9]	Baurzhan, S., & Jenkins, G. P. (2016). Off-grid solar PV: Is it an affordable or appropriate solution for rural electrification in Sub-Saharan African countries? Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 60, 1405–1418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.03.016
[10]	Trewin, R., & Amrose, S. (2020). Energy poverty, household welfare and off-grid solar electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa. Energy Research & Social Science, 70, 101 110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.erss.2020.101710
[11]	MIREME – Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy. (2022). National Plan for Renewable Energies and Universal Access to Energy 2030. Maputo: Government of Mozambique.
[12]	Mandelli, S., Barbieri, J., Mereu, R., & Colombo, E. (2016). Off-grid systems for rural electrification in developing countries: Definitions, classification and a comprehensive literature review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 58, 1621–1646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.12.338

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APA Style

Punguane, F., Vilanculo, J. A., Andrade, M. O. N. D. (2026). Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources, 15(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11

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ACS Style

Punguane, F.; Vilanculo, J. A.; Andrade, M. O. N. D. Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique. J. Energy Nat. Resour. 2026, 15(1), 1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11

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AMA Style

Punguane F, Vilanculo JA, Andrade MOND. Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique. J Energy Nat Resour. 2026;15(1):1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11

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@article{10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11,
  author = {Flugencio Punguane and Jossias Arnaldo Vilanculo and Marsilio Onesio Neves de Andrade},
  title = {Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique},
  journal = {Journal of Energy and Natural Resources},
  volume = {15},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-9},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jenr.20261501.11},
  abstract = {This study assesses the technical, economic and social feasibility of implementing photovoltaic solar systems for rural electrification in the Mapai district, Gaza province, southern Mozambique. The research was conducted in the locality of 16 de Junho, in the village of Regua, involving ten households without access to the national electricity grid. The methodology included a socioeconomic and energy survey, identification and calculation of daily electrical loads, estimation of average energy demand, and technical sizing of the photovoltaic system based on local solar irradiance conditions ranging from 5.0 to 5.5 kWh/m2/day. Field surveys, direct observation and measurements were carried out, and the collected data were processed and analysed in Microsoft Excel. The dimensioning covered the main components of the photovoltaic system, including the solar generator, battery bank, charge controllers and inverters, ensuring reliability, autonomy and compatibility with household energy needs. The proposed system, a standalone Photovoltaic Solar System (SPS), is validated as the most suitable solution. An economic comparison was performed between the total installation and operational costs of the photovoltaic system and the hypothetical extension of the public grid. The results demonstrate that the photovoltaic system is technically viable and economically advantageous in the long term, due to the absence of monthly tariffs, reduced maintenance requirements and greater predictability of operational costs. From a social perspective, the adoption of photovoltaic systems enhances energy inclusion, reduces inequalities and significantly improves living conditions, contributing to local sustainable development. The findings indicate that decentralized solar electrification constitutes a clean and efficient solution for remote rural communities, particularly in Mapai, where access to modern energy services remains limited. The study recommends the expansion of similar systems in other rural regions as a strategic pathway to promote sustainable development and support national and global efforts toward universal access to clean energy.},
 year = {2026}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique
AU  - Flugencio Punguane
AU  - Jossias Arnaldo Vilanculo
AU  - Marsilio Onesio Neves de Andrade
Y1  - 2026/01/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11
T2  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JF  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JO  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
SP  - 1
EP  - 9
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7404
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11
AB  - This study assesses the technical, economic and social feasibility of implementing photovoltaic solar systems for rural electrification in the Mapai district, Gaza province, southern Mozambique. The research was conducted in the locality of 16 de Junho, in the village of Regua, involving ten households without access to the national electricity grid. The methodology included a socioeconomic and energy survey, identification and calculation of daily electrical loads, estimation of average energy demand, and technical sizing of the photovoltaic system based on local solar irradiance conditions ranging from 5.0 to 5.5 kWh/m2/day. Field surveys, direct observation and measurements were carried out, and the collected data were processed and analysed in Microsoft Excel. The dimensioning covered the main components of the photovoltaic system, including the solar generator, battery bank, charge controllers and inverters, ensuring reliability, autonomy and compatibility with household energy needs. The proposed system, a standalone Photovoltaic Solar System (SPS), is validated as the most suitable solution. An economic comparison was performed between the total installation and operational costs of the photovoltaic system and the hypothetical extension of the public grid. The results demonstrate that the photovoltaic system is technically viable and economically advantageous in the long term, due to the absence of monthly tariffs, reduced maintenance requirements and greater predictability of operational costs. From a social perspective, the adoption of photovoltaic systems enhances energy inclusion, reduces inequalities and significantly improves living conditions, contributing to local sustainable development. The findings indicate that decentralized solar electrification constitutes a clean and efficient solution for remote rural communities, particularly in Mapai, where access to modern energy services remains limited. The study recommends the expansion of similar systems in other rural regions as a strategic pathway to promote sustainable development and support national and global efforts toward universal access to clean energy.
VL  - 15
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Flugencio Punguane

Department of Natural and Exact Sciences, Universidade Save, Massinga, Mozambique

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Jossias Arnaldo Vilanculo

Department of Natural and Exact Sciences, Universidade Save, Chongoene, Mozambique

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Marsilio Onesio Neves de Andrade

Department of Natural and Exact Sciences, Universidade Save, Chongoene, Mozambique

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APA Style

Punguane, F., Vilanculo, J. A., Andrade, M. O. N. D. (2026). Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique. Journal of Energy and Natural Resources, 15(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11

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ACS Style

Punguane, F.; Vilanculo, J. A.; Andrade, M. O. N. D. Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique. J. Energy Nat. Resour. 2026, 15(1), 1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11

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AMA Style

Punguane F, Vilanculo JA, Andrade MOND. Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique. J Energy Nat Resour. 2026;15(1):1-9. doi: 10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11,
  author = {Flugencio Punguane and Jossias Arnaldo Vilanculo and Marsilio Onesio Neves de Andrade},
  title = {Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique},
  journal = {Journal of Energy and Natural Resources},
  volume = {15},
  number = {1},
  pages = {1-9},
  doi = {10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.jenr.20261501.11},
  abstract = {This study assesses the technical, economic and social feasibility of implementing photovoltaic solar systems for rural electrification in the Mapai district, Gaza province, southern Mozambique. The research was conducted in the locality of 16 de Junho, in the village of Regua, involving ten households without access to the national electricity grid. The methodology included a socioeconomic and energy survey, identification and calculation of daily electrical loads, estimation of average energy demand, and technical sizing of the photovoltaic system based on local solar irradiance conditions ranging from 5.0 to 5.5 kWh/m2/day. Field surveys, direct observation and measurements were carried out, and the collected data were processed and analysed in Microsoft Excel. The dimensioning covered the main components of the photovoltaic system, including the solar generator, battery bank, charge controllers and inverters, ensuring reliability, autonomy and compatibility with household energy needs. The proposed system, a standalone Photovoltaic Solar System (SPS), is validated as the most suitable solution. An economic comparison was performed between the total installation and operational costs of the photovoltaic system and the hypothetical extension of the public grid. The results demonstrate that the photovoltaic system is technically viable and economically advantageous in the long term, due to the absence of monthly tariffs, reduced maintenance requirements and greater predictability of operational costs. From a social perspective, the adoption of photovoltaic systems enhances energy inclusion, reduces inequalities and significantly improves living conditions, contributing to local sustainable development. The findings indicate that decentralized solar electrification constitutes a clean and efficient solution for remote rural communities, particularly in Mapai, where access to modern energy services remains limited. The study recommends the expansion of similar systems in other rural regions as a strategic pathway to promote sustainable development and support national and global efforts toward universal access to clean energy.},
 year = {2026}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique
AU  - Flugencio Punguane
AU  - Jossias Arnaldo Vilanculo
AU  - Marsilio Onesio Neves de Andrade
Y1  - 2026/01/20
PY  - 2026
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11
T2  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JF  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
JO  - Journal of Energy and Natural Resources
SP  - 1
EP  - 9
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7404
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.jenr.20261501.11
AB  - This study assesses the technical, economic and social feasibility of implementing photovoltaic solar systems for rural electrification in the Mapai district, Gaza province, southern Mozambique. The research was conducted in the locality of 16 de Junho, in the village of Regua, involving ten households without access to the national electricity grid. The methodology included a socioeconomic and energy survey, identification and calculation of daily electrical loads, estimation of average energy demand, and technical sizing of the photovoltaic system based on local solar irradiance conditions ranging from 5.0 to 5.5 kWh/m2/day. Field surveys, direct observation and measurements were carried out, and the collected data were processed and analysed in Microsoft Excel. The dimensioning covered the main components of the photovoltaic system, including the solar generator, battery bank, charge controllers and inverters, ensuring reliability, autonomy and compatibility with household energy needs. The proposed system, a standalone Photovoltaic Solar System (SPS), is validated as the most suitable solution. An economic comparison was performed between the total installation and operational costs of the photovoltaic system and the hypothetical extension of the public grid. The results demonstrate that the photovoltaic system is technically viable and economically advantageous in the long term, due to the absence of monthly tariffs, reduced maintenance requirements and greater predictability of operational costs. From a social perspective, the adoption of photovoltaic systems enhances energy inclusion, reduces inequalities and significantly improves living conditions, contributing to local sustainable development. The findings indicate that decentralized solar electrification constitutes a clean and efficient solution for remote rural communities, particularly in Mapai, where access to modern energy services remains limited. The study recommends the expansion of similar systems in other rural regions as a strategic pathway to promote sustainable development and support national and global efforts toward universal access to clean energy.
VL  - 15
IS  - 1
ER  -

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