[10/05 11:58 am] Meta AI: Here's a potential background to the study:

Access to electricity is a fundamental human need, and its absence severely limits economic
development, healthcare, education, and overall well-being. Nigeria, with a population of over
200 million people, faces significant energy access challenges, particularly in rural areas.
According to the World Bank, in 2020, only about 45% of Nigeria's population had access to
electricity, with rural areas being disproportionately affected.

The Nigerian government has set a target of achieving 90% electricity access by 2030, with a
focus on renewable energy sources, including solar power. Solar-based mini-grids have
emerged as a promising solution for rural electrification, offering a decentralized, reliable, and
sustainable energy supply. However, sizing solar-based mini-grids accurately is crucial to
ensure their technical and economic feasibility.

Eziobodo Community in Imo State, Nigeria, is a typical rural area with limited access to
electricity. The community relies heavily on diesel generators and candles for energy, resulting
in high energy costs, environmental pollution, and health risks. Solar-based mini-grids offer a
viable alternative, but their implementation requires careful planning, considering factors like
energy demand, solar resource availability, and technical and economic feasibility.

This study aims to investigate the issues, prospects, and opportunities of sizing solar-based
mini-grids for rural communities in Nigeria, using Eziobodo Community as a case study. By
examining the energy demand and solar resource assessment, this research seeks to provide
insights into the technical and economic feasibility of solar-based mini-grids in Nigeria's rural
areas, contributing to the country's efforts to achieve universal energy access and sustainable
development.
[10/05 11:58 am] Meta AI: Here's a potential statement of the problem:

"Despite the potential of solar-based mini-grids to address rural electrification challenges in

1. Inadequate energy supply, resulting in frequent power outages and reduced economic
productivity.
2. Over-sizing or under-sizing of solar-based mini-grids, leading to wasted resources, increased
costs, and reduced system efficiency.
3. Limited scalability and replicability of successful solar-based mini-grid projects, hindering the
achievement of Nigeria's universal energy access goals.

This study aims to address these challenges by investigating the issues, prospects, and
opportunities of sizing solar-based mini-grids for rural communities in Nigeria, with a focus on
Eziobodo Community in Imo State, to identify optimal sizing methods and tools for sustainable
and efficient energy supply."
This statement of the problem highlights the specific challenges and gaps in the current
implementation of solar-based mini-grids in Nigeria, providing a clear direction for the research
to address these issues and contribute to the development of sustainable energy solutions.
[10/05 11:59 am] Meta AI: Here are the aim and objectives of the study:

*Aim:*
The aim of this study is to investigate the issues, prospects, and opportunities of sizing solar-
based mini-grids for rural communities in Nigeria, with a focus on Eziobodo Community in Imo
State, to identify optimal sizing methods and tools for sustainable and efficient energy supply.

*Objectives:*
The specific objectives of this study are to:

1. *Assess the energy demand* of Eziobodo Community, including the types and quantities of
energy-consuming appliances, to determine the required solar-based mini-grid capacity.
2. *Evaluate the solar resource availability* in Eziobodo Community, including solar irradiance
and temperature, to determine the optimal solar panel configuration and sizing.
3. *Develop a sizing methodology* for solar-based mini-grids in rural communities, considering
energy demand, solar resource availability, and technical and economic feasibility.
4. *Apply the sizing methodology* to Eziobodo Community, to determine the optimal solar-
based mini-grid size and configuration.
5. *Evaluate the technical and economic feasibility* of the sized solar-based mini-grid, including
cost-benefit analysis, payback period, and levelized cost of energy.
6. *Identify the challenges and opportunities* of implementing solar-based mini-grids in rural
communities in Nigeria, and provide recommendations for policy and regulatory frameworks to
support their adoption.

By achieving these objectives, this study aims to contribute to the development of sustainable
and efficient energy supply solutions for rural communities in Nigeria, and provide a framework
for sizing solar-based mini-grids that can be replicated in other similar contexts.
[10/05 12:01 pm] Meta AI: Here is the scope of the study in paragraph format:

This study focuses on sizing solar-based mini-grids for rural communities in Nigeria, with a
specific case study of Eziobodo Community in Imo State. The geographical scope of the study
is limited to Eziobodo Community, which represents a typical rural area in Nigeria. Technically,
the study will concentrate on solar-based mini-grids, encompassing solar panels, inverters,
batteries, and distribution networks. In terms of energy demand, the study will assess the
residential, commercial, and industrial energy requirements of Eziobodo Community.
Additionally, the study will evaluate the solar resource availability in the area, considering solar
irradiance and temperature data. Methodologically, the study will employ energy demand
assessment, solar resource assessment, and technical and economic feasibility analysis. The
temporal scope of the study is one year, during which energy demand and solar resource data
will be collected and analyzed. However, the study will not explore grid-connected solar
systems, wind energy or other renewable energy sources, energy storage systems beyond
batteries, or energy efficiency measures beyond the scope of the solar-based mini-grid. By
focusing on this specific context, the study aims to provide a detailed and applicable
understanding of the issues, prospects, and opportunities of sizing solar-based mini-grids for
rural communities in Nigeria.
[10/05 12:01 pm] Meta AI: Here is the justification for the study:

Justification:

Rural electrification is a critical development priority in Nigeria, where over 80 million people
lack access to electricity. Solar-based mini-grids offer a promising solution, but their
implementation faces significant challenges, including inaccurate sizing, which can lead to
reduced system efficiency, wasted resources, and limited scalability.

Eziobodo Community in Imo State, Nigeria, is a typical rural area with limited access to
electricity, relying heavily on diesel generators and candles. The community's energy demand is
growing, and solar-based mini-grids offer a viable alternative. However, the lack of accurate
sizing methods and tools hinders the effective deployment of solar-based mini-grids,
perpetuating energy poverty and hindering economic development.

This study justifies the need for a comprehensive analysis of sizing solar-based mini-grids for
rural communities in Nigeria, using Eziobodo Community as a case study. By investigating the
energy demand, solar resource availability, and technical and economic feasibility of solar-
based mini-grids, this study aims to:

1. Develop a sizing methodology for solar-based mini-grids in rural communities.

By addressing the knowledge gap in sizing solar-based mini-grids, this study contributes to the
achievement of sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean
Energy) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). The findings will benefit
policymakers, developers, and researchers working towards universal energy access and
sustainable energy solutions for rural communities in Nigeria and beyond.