Design and Sizing of a Standalone Solar PV System for Rural Primary Health Centers in Nigeria: A Techno Economic Assessment

The attainment of universal health coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), is fundamentally contingent upon the availability of reliable electricity. In Nigeria, the energy deficit in the healthcare sector is acute, with approximately 40% of functional Primary Health Centers (PHCs) completely devoid of grid access, and the remainder suffering from chronic intermittency that compromises critical services such as vaccine cold chains, emergency obstetric care, and diagnostic testing. This research presents a comprehensive, expert-level design and techno-economic analysis of a standalone Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system tailored for a rural PHC in Nigeria. By synthesizing meteorological data across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones contrasting the high-insolation North (Sokoto/Kaduna) with the cloud-prone South (Port Harcourt) the study establishes a robust