Monitoring Solar Mini-grids on Smallholder Livelihoods in Eastern Uganda: Energy Access and Economic Impacts

Solar mini-grids have been introduced to provide energy access for smallholder farmers in Eastern Uganda, aiming to enhance agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods. A mixed-method approach combining quantitative surveys with qualitative interviews was employed to assess the effectiveness of solar mini-grid systems. Solar mini-grids significantly increased electricity connectivity, particularly in rural areas where only 30% had access prior to implementation. Economic benefits included a $20 increase in daily income for households using these grids. The findings suggest that solar mini-grids can effectively improve energy access and boost economic activities among smallholder farmers. Further studies should explore long-term impacts and scalability of solar mini-grid systems across different regions with varying agricultural contexts. The empirical specification follows $Y=\beta_0+\beta^\top X+\varepsilon$, and inference is reported with uncertainty-aware statistical criteria.