The socio-technical barriers to Solar Home Systems (SHS) in Papua New Guinea: “Choosing pigs, prostitutes, and poker chips over panels”

► Solar Home Systems (SHS) are impeded by a collection of different barriers in Papua New Guinea. ► Technical barriers relate to substandard equipment and logistical problems. ► Economic barriers include high rates of poverty, misconceptions about the role of currency, and lack of financing.► Political barriers include poor institutional capacity and a government commitment to fossil-fueled grid electrification. ► Social barriers encompass unrealistic expectations about what SHS can provide along with jealousy, theft, vandalism, and unfamiliarity with solar technology.