Grid connected solar photovoltaic in island states: Challenges, opportunities and waste management

Small island developing states (SIDS) strive to continue economic growth, mitigate climate change and reduce their dependence on imported fossil fuels. They offer a geographical landscape which encourages distributed generation in order to provide power to end users that are located in remote areas. Often times, this distributed generation is accomplished through grid connected solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Because they do not emit greenhouse gas, and they use the free light from the sun to generate electricity, solar PV systems provide renewable energy in a sustainable way. This paper will respectively discuss the challenges and opportunities associated with grid connected solar PV in island states. It will also propose potential waste management strategies of such solar PV systems from cradle to grave.