Assessing users' performance to sustain off-grid renewable energy systems: The capacity and willingness approach

This paper investigates the sustainability of off-grid renewable energy systems (RES) installed in rural communities. Through a solar home system (SHS) case project in Alumar Island, Philippines, the performance of users to sustain their systems was assessed using a novel approach proposed by the authors: the capacity and willingness approach. This approach was an adaptation to advancements in human development theory-the paradigm shift from the traditional resources approach to the capabilities approach, as proposed by A. Sen. The actual financial and technical performances of users were predicted using ordered logit regression analysis. It was found that financial capacity attributes, e.g., income and expenses, were prominent in explaining financial performance; know-how-related attributes, e.g., education, were prominent in explaining technical performance; and willingness-related attributes, i.e., willingness to pay, explained both financial and technical performance. The findings aim to provide developers and communities with better strategies for beneficiary scoping, technology selection, and capacity development.