Assessing the Contribution of Small-Scale Solar Systems to Household Income in Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria

Access to electricity through small-scale solar systems in rural Nasarawa State, North Central Nigeria, has been promoted by development organisations as a pathway to improved livelihoods and income generation, yet rigorous local evidence on income outcomes remains limited. This study assesses the contribution of small-scale solar photovoltaic systems to household income in farming and trading communities in Nasarawa State. A comparative survey was conducted between 180 solar-adopting and 180 non-adopting households in four local government areas, measuring income from solar-enabled activities including mobile phone charging services, extended trading hours, evening tailoring, and crop processing. Difference-in-difference analysis was applied to estimate the income effect attributable to solar adoption after controlling for pre-adoption household characteristics. Findings indicate that solar-adopting households earn an average of 15,400 naira per month more than comparable non-adopting households, with the largest income gains concentrated in female-headed businesses and micro-enterprises. Mobile phone charging services and extended evening market trading emerge as the two highest-income generating productive uses. The study finds that income gains are larger in communities with existing market infrastructure and lower in isolated agricultural communities with limited commercial activity. Recommendations focus on coupling solar system distribution programmes with entrepreneurship training and market linkage support through the Nasarawa State Economic Empowerment Programme. Keywords: solar energy, household income, Nasarawa State, productive use, rural livelihoods.