A Systematic Approach to Development of a Sustainable Monitoring and Evaluation Framework for PV Hybrid Mini-Grids

36th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 1865-1870 PV hybrid mini-grids have emerged as a viable solution for providing reliable, environmentally friendly electricity to remote communities. An affordable and grid-quality supply of electricity can open new possibilities for socioeconomic progress. As part of a joint program between South Africa and Germany’s state of Lower Saxony, a PV hybrid mini-grid is designed and developed in the municipality of Upper Blinkwater in Eastern Cape, South Africa Successful implementation of mini-grids requires the right technology, access to financing and consumer-friendly payment system, an appropriate regulatory environment, social facilitation, institutional implementation, environmental impact evaluation, human capitalization and training, and implementing a robust, reliable, and sustainable Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MEF). The aim of this work is to design a systematic approach to the development of a sustainable MEF for PV hybrid mini-grids by integrating cutting-edge technologies and SMART methods in a scalable platform of replicable solutions towards connecting the mini-grid with diverse stakeholders with enhanced observability of both generation and consumption profiles.