Design and Tier-Based Analysis of an Off-Grid Solar PV System for Swarm Rural Electrification in Ethiopia

Abera Jote Lidate, Venkata Ramayya Ancha, Getachew Biru Worku, Henok Ayele Behabtu, Tefera T. Yetayew, Satyanarayana Narra · 2026 · Energies

Summary. This study designs off-grid solar systems for rural Ethiopia using a novel swarm electrification model where higher-tier households share surplus energy with lower-tier ones. The researchers assessed solar resources across Ethiopia, finding stable annual irradiance of 4.22–7.30 kWh/m²/day. They designed Tier 2 and Tier 3 systems with specific battery and array configurations, showing that lithium-iron-phosphate batteries offer economic advantages. Cable topology recommendations ensure voltage stability across different household distances, enabling sustainable peer-to-peer solar sharing networks.

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@article{lidate-2026-design-tier-based-analysis-off,
  title   = {Design and Tier-Based Analysis of an Off-Grid Solar PV System for Swarm Rural Electrification in Ethiopia},
  author  = {Abera Jote Lidate and Venkata Ramayya Ancha and Getachew Biru Worku and Henok Ayele Behabtu and Tefera T. Yetayew and Satyanarayana Narra},
  journal = {Energies},
  year    = {2026},
  doi     = {10.3390/en19143454},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.3390/en19143454}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Design and Tier-Based Analysis of an Off-Grid Solar PV System for Swarm Rural Electrification in Ethiopia
AU  - Abera Jote Lidate
AU  - Venkata Ramayya Ancha
AU  - Getachew Biru Worku
AU  - Henok Ayele Behabtu
AU  - Tefera T. Yetayew
AU  - Satyanarayana Narra
JO  - Energies
PY  - 2026
DO  - 10.3390/en19143454
UR  - https://doi.org/10.3390/en19143454
ER  - 

Details

DOI

10.3390/en19143454

Countries

Ethiopia

Regions

Africa

Categories

energy, regional-innovation-systems, general-innovation

Added

2026-09-01