Environmental and social impacts of self-financed solar PV adoption in rural Zambia: Insights from mopane worms, mushrooms, fishing, bushmeat and ethnomedicine

This study, which is the first to study the relationship between Solar PV adoption in rural areas, and non-timber forest products (NTFPs), examines the environmental and social impacts of self-financed solar photovoltaic (PV) adoption in rural Zambia, with a focus on Mopane worms, mushrooms, fishing, bushmeat, and ethnomedicine - key NTFPs that rural households harvest for consumption and income generation. Qualitative research methods, including interviews and focus group discussions, were conducted across three geographically distinct and off-grid rural areas: Mkushi Rural (Central Province), Kapiri Rural (Central Province), and Chongwe Rural (Lusaka Province). These locations were selected for their relative isolation and lack of access to the national power grid.

Using the novel Rural Development Stakeholder Hybrid Adoption Model (RUDSHAM), this research explores the relationship between solar PV adoption and NTFP-based income. It highlights how NTFPs enable households to self-finance solar PV systems, reducing reliance on unsustainable biomass fuels while enhancing energy access. The paper also assesses the sustainability and scalability of NTFP-derived income.

Findings reveal a dual impact: while NTFPs are critical for financing solar PV adoption, their commercialization presents ecological risks, including overharvesting, habitat degradation, and biodiversity loss. Solar PV adoption contributes socio-economic benefits, such as reduced energy costs and improved household well-being, but exacerbates community tensions due to competition over limited NTFP resources.

To address these challenges, the study advocates for integrated strategies that combine renewable energy adoption with sustainable resource management. By emphasizing community-led governance and sustainable harvesting practices, it proposes a framework that aligns rural energy transitions with environmental conservation. The findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and development practitioners, contributing to the broader discourse on addressing energy poverty and ecological sustainability across Sub-Saharan Africa and similar rural contexts globally.