Technical, Economic and Social Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic Solar Systems for Rural Electrification in Mapai District-Mozambique

This study assesses the technical, economic and social feasibility of implementing photovoltaic solar systems for rural electrification in the Mapai district, Gaza province, southern Mozambique. The research was conducted in the locality of 16 de Junho, in the village of Regua, involving ten households without access to the national electricity grid. The methodology included a socioeconomic and energy survey, identification and calculation of daily electrical loads, estimation of average energy demand, and technical sizing of the photovoltaic system based on local solar irradiance conditions ranging from 5.0 to 5.5 kWh/m<sup>2</sup>/day. Field surveys, direct observation and measurements were carried out, and the collected data were processed and analysed in Microsoft Excel. The dimensioning covered the main components of the photovoltaic system, including the solar generator, battery bank, charge controllers and inverters, ensuring reliability, autonomy and compatibility with household energy needs. The proposed system, a standalone Photovoltaic Solar System (SPS), is validated as the most suitable solution. An economic comparison was performed between the total installation and operational costs of the photovoltaic system and the hypothetical extension of the public grid. The results demonstrate that the photovoltaic system is technically viable and economically advantageous in the long term, due to the absence of monthly tariffs, reduced maintenance requirements and greater predictability of operational costs. From a social perspective, the adoption of photovoltaic systems enhances energy inclusion, reduces inequalities and significantly improves living conditions, contributing to local sustainable development. The findings indicate that decentralized solar electrification constitutes a clean and efficient solution for remote rural communities, particularly in Mapai, where access to modern energy services remains limited. The study recommends the expansion of similar systems in other rural regions as a strategic pathway to promote sustainable development and support national and global efforts toward universal access to clean energy.