In spite of the intention of governments to increase the use of renewable energy in electricity supply,
particularly the use of solar photovoltaic (PV) for energy poverty reduction in rural and peri-urban areas
of Africa, there is relatively little information on how solar PV electrification impacts on energy poverty
reduction. Therefore, there is a gap in the literature and hence the need for continuous research. Using
Ghana as a reference country, the historical trend, donor cooperation and other aspects of solar PV rural
electrification are discussed . The paper illustrates the intersectoral linkages of solar PV electrification
and indicators on education, health, information acquisition, agriculture and micro-enterprises. It also
reviews sustainability related issues including costs and market barriers, subsidies, stakeholders
involvement, political and policy implications, which are critical factors for sustainable market
development of solar PV and other renewables. Finally, a common framework is developed to provide a
basic understanding of how solar PV electrification impacts on energy-poverty. This framework provides
a structure of the interrelated concepts and principles relevant to the issues under review.