6. Economic models

The countries that have developed the most mini-grids are those whose governments have best prepared for their implementation by creating a favorable business environment (low customs duties, conditions for tendering), specifying in a set of specifications the rules they wish to see applied, their rural electrification development program, and specifying which regions are priorities.

One of the main obstacles to the deployment of mini-grids is their financing. People in rural areas, particularly in isolated areas where grid extensions are too costly, do not always have the resources to pay for the available power solutions. It is still worthwhile targeting areas that are sufficiently populated to be competitive with stand-alone installations, such as autonomous lighting products.

Any sustainable solution relies on a community involved in...