Evaluation of Solar Photovoltaic System Performance for Rural Healthcare Facility Electrification in Niger State

Reliable electricity supply in rural Nigerian healthcare facilities is critical for refrigerating vaccines, powering diagnostic equipment, and ensuring nighttime emergency care, yet grid penetration in rural Niger State remains below 30 percent. This study evaluates the technical and operational performance of solar photovoltaic systems installed in ten rural primary healthcare centers across Rafi, Shiroro, and Magama Local Government Areas of Niger State, North Central Nigeria. Performance parameters assessed include installed capacity, daily energy yield, system availability factor, battery cycle performance, and solar fraction of energy demand. Data were collected through direct instrumentation, energy meter readings, facility staff interviews, and review of maintenance records over a twelve-month period. System sizing adequacy was evaluated by comparing measured energy supply with audited healthcare facility load profiles. Results indicate that seven of ten systems meet less than 60 percent of facility daytime energy demand due to undersizing of array capacity relative to actual medical equipment loads. Battery bank degradation was identified in four systems, with available storage capacity below 50 percent of rated design capacity after an average of 3.5 years of operation. The study develops a maintenance scorecard and applies regression analysis to identify the strongest predictors of system underperformance. Professional recommendations address system resizing protocols, preventive maintenance scheduling, and capacity building for local solar technicians in the Niger State Primary Healthcare Development Agency network. Keywords: solar photovoltaic, rural healthcare, Niger State, system performance, energy access