Accessibilité sociale à l’énergie solaire Photovoltaïque en milieu rural : le cas de L’arrondissement de Zoetele au sud-Cameroun

Abstract

This dissertation, entitled “Social accessibility to photovoltaic solar energy in rural areas: the case of the district of Zoétélé in South Cameroon”, is a contribution to the enrichment of the scientific field of ecosociology. This research is built on an initial observation: the unequal distribution of electricity across the entire Cameroonian national territory. In fact, it is to the disadvantage of rural areas. Thus, the government is interested in the promotion of solar energy in order to achieve the electrification of remote areas through: the implementation of the project for the electrification of 1 000 localities by solar energy, the Electrification Master Plan Rural, the creation of the Renewable Energy Department of the MINEE. However, photovoltaic electrification in rural areas is still facing implementation difficulties, justified by the influence of certain social indicators. Thus, the main question of this research is to know what is the social accessibility to photovoltaic solar energy in rural areas in the district of Zoétélé? The main hypothesis stated states that this energy source is socially accessible to the populations, due to their perceptions favorable to its appropriation, and the predominantly exogenous nature of the obstacles which influence the promotion of its use. The operationalization of this hypothesis required two main theories. This is the theory of social representations, and the critical sociology of Georges BALANDIER. The theory of social representations made it possible to highlight the different perceptions of rural populations on photovoltaic solar energy. As for the critical sociology of Georges BALANDIER, it contributed to analyzing the dynamics of social change. To carry out this research, the qualitative method is put forward for the collection, processing, and analysis of field data. It appears that the rural population is accustomed to consuming mixed energy sources, both carbon and renewable. Their perceptions are mainly favorable to the use of photovoltaic solar energy, although they question its financial accessibility. However, the community leaders who participate in its implementation encounter certain obstacles, the main ones of which are of an exogenous nature: geographical, economic and political. And socio-political and cultural specificities, as far as endogenous obstacles are concerned.