Awareness and perceived benefits of solar photovoltaic technology adoption in Nigeria – A review

Abstract

Nigeria's power system continues to face challenges, including limited grid coverage, frequent outages, and reliance on costly gasoline and petrol generators. Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology offers a technically feasible and sustainable alternative, yet adoption remains below potential. This study synthesizes 26 empirical and conceptual studies to examine how awareness and perceived benefits influence PV adoption in Nigeria. The analysis shows that low awareness, especially in rural and northern regions, restricts adoption, while perceived benefits are primarily driven by short-term economic and reliability considerations. Environmental advantages, though secondary, are gaining recognition in institutional and policy contexts. Socioeconomic, governmental, and market factors, such as education, subsidies, tax incentives, and innovative financing models like Pay-As-You-Go, also affect adoption. Despite PV’s long-term economic and environmental benefits, high upfront costs remain a major barrier. The findings highlight the importance of integrated strategies that combine targeted awareness campaigns, quality assurance, supportive financing, and enabling legislation to enhance adoption. Implementing such measures can reduce energy insecurity and accelerate Nigeria’s transition to a cleaner, more reliable, and sustainable energy system.