International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue X, October 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

The University Students’ Awareness of the Use and Application of Solar Energy in Uganda

 Ademola Olatide Olaniyan (PhD)*, Haman Biita
Kampala International University, Uganda
*Corresponding Author

Abstract: The concern for alternative source of power supply with the intention of maximizing the naturally and abundantly available solar energy is on the increasing measure in the developed and developing countries. Research and development studies suggest an optimistic future for the use and application of solar energy as a major source of renewable energy. To secure such a promising future in maximizing solar energy in a developing country like Uganda there is a need to investigate the level of awareness of the use and application amongst university students. The study employed survey technique using questionnaire to investigate the level of awareness of advantages and benefits there are on the use and application of solar energy. The study population is the university students selected purposively from Universities in Kampala, Uganda. Data collected from the study were analysed by comparing the mean standard deviation and Pearson moment correlation, and the research hypotheses were tested on 0.005 level of significance using regression analysis in order to determine the relationship between the level of awareness of the respondents and application of solar energy. Further suggestions made to elicit the spread of the usefulness and application of this alternative power supply in Uganda.

Key words: Solar energy, awareness, application, renewable energy

I. INTRODUCTION AND LITERATURE REVIEWED

The demand for the use of energy in the 21st century is on increasing measure on daily basis. This is evident in both local and global demands for energy use and in the rate at which energy is emphasized in developed, developing and under-developed world. From more powerful computers to larger televisions and the latest gadgets, the demand for additional energy supply is increasing each day. The role that energy plays in terms of resources, supply and utilisation in developed and developing countries manifest and it is evident in areas of oil exploration. Oil which has been a major source of energy supply for decades is now experiencing a major setback in the sense that the oil producing countries could no longer make available oil needed at affordable prices. So energy technology programmes that aimed at reducing dependence on imported oil sources, developing indigenous resources, promoting energy conservation and harnessing renewable sources flourished from that time.