Determinants of solar energy access in urban and rural areas of Ethiopia: implications for equitable climate transitions

Yujin Lee, Chuan Liao · 2026 · npj Climate Action

Summary. This study analyzes solar energy adoption across Ethiopia using nationally representative household data and spatial analysis. Rural adoption is driven by necessity—older male heads in areas without grid electricity—while urban adoption reflects choice among younger, wealthier residents. Peer effects play minimal roles; instead, institutional programs and market interventions shape adoption patterns. The findings show that equitable clean energy transitions require different strategies tailored to rural and urban contexts.

Read the original

@article{lee-2026-determinants-solar-energy-access-urban,
  title   = {Determinants of solar energy access in urban and rural areas of Ethiopia: implications for equitable climate transitions},
  author  = {Yujin Lee and Chuan Liao},
  journal = {npj Climate Action},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {10.1038/s44168-025-00328-0},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-025-00328-0}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Determinants of solar energy access in urban and rural areas of Ethiopia: implications for equitable climate transitions
AU  - Yujin Lee
AU  - Chuan Liao
JO  - npj Climate Action
PY  - 2026
DO  - 10.1038/s44168-025-00328-0
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1038/s44168-025-00328-0
ER  - 

Details

DOI

10.1038/s44168-025-00328-0

Countries

Ethiopia

Regions

Africa

Categories

energy, climate-and-environment, rural-data-and-definitions

Added

2026-04-28