Identifying Optimal Sites for Solar Power Installation in Nigeria Using AI

Background

Nigeria faces a critical energy challenge, with over 100 million people lacking stable access to electricity. Many communities are disconnected from the national grid and rely on unsustainable, expensive, and health-threatening fossil fuels. In collaboration with RA365, a Nigerian NGO, Omdena sought to address this pressing issue using Artificial Intelligence (AI). By identifying optimal sites for solar power installation, the project aimed to offer actionable solutions for policymakers and funders to improve energy access sustainably.

Objective

The project aimed to:

• Identify regions in Nigeria with high electricity demand and limited grid access.
• Develop AI-driven tools, including heatmaps and interactive maps, to guide policymakers and funders in resource allocation.
• Support data-driven decisions for the installation of solar power systems, promoting renewable energy adoption in underserved communities.

Approach

The Omdena AI community, comprising 38 collaborators, tackled the problem using the following key steps:

1. Data Integration: Combined nighttime satellite imagery with demographic data from sources such as the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) program, WorldPop ground surveys, and the GRID3 dataset.
2. Grid Coverage Analysis: Conducted comprehensive assessments of existing grid infrastructure to pinpoint gaps in electricity coverage.
3. Machine Learning Models: Developed heatmaps to identify areas with the greatest potential for solar panel installations.
4. Interactive Mapping: Created a user-friendly map to highlight regions with high electricity demand and prioritize solar energy projects.

Tools and technologies such as geospatial analysis, machine learning, and interactive visualization platforms were utilized to deliver actionable insights.

Results and Impact

The project delivered several impactful outcomes:

• Insights on Energy Needs: Identified regions in Nigeria with the highest electricity demand and greatest potential for solar energy deployment.
• Interactive Map: Built a tool that displays top regions for solar power installations, helping stakeholders make informed decisions.
• Reproducible Solutions: Designed scalable tools that can be adapted for other countries facing similar challenges.
• Broader Impact:

• • The Nigerian NGO Renewable Africa will implement these solutions to survey and validate locations for solar panel installations.
  • Enables data-driven investments and policymaking, potentially improving the lives of millions in Nigeria.
  • Promotes sustainable energy adoption and reduces dependency on harmful fossil fuels.

Future Implications

The tools and methodologies developed through this project can have far-reaching implications:

• Policy Guidance: Inform governmental and NGO policies on renewable energy investments.
• Scalability: Reproducible models that can guide solar energy projects in other countries.
• Research Advancement: Encourages further exploration into AI-driven renewable energy solutions to address global energy challenges.

By bridging technology and sustainability, this initiative sets a precedent for using AI to foster renewable energy adoption and empower underserved communities worldwide.