5. Infrastructure design

In European countries, there is a clear boundary between the distribution network and customer installations, which may include a more or less developed internal network. This choice is not necessarily optimal in highly decentralized rural areas, and the minigrid operator may operate the entire network, including the internal installation, particularly in residential areas, to ensure a certain level of safety. This choice is made before the minigrid is set up.

For very small networks, particularly nanogrids, the option of direct current distribution may be technically and economically relevant since photovoltaic (PV) production is originally direct current. This is the option chosen for nanogrids installed in Madagascar at very low voltage