A Holistic Multi-Tiered Approach to Off-Grid Energy Provision using Solar PV

Renewable energy systems (RES), especially solar PV, are being diffused to rural communities to improve energy access. The sustainability of these systems is, however, becoming increasingly relevant. In this paper, the issues of appropriate match between technology and users capacities were addressed using a holistic multi-tiered approach in energy provision using solar PV systems. A multi-tiered approach pertains to the use of different types of systems that cater appropriately to the different types of users with varying levels of available resources, capacities, and willingness to sustain a system. The recommendations were based on actual solar PV cases from the Philippines.