ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT ON THE HAPPINESS OF RURAL COMMUNITY OF NIGER STATE: THE STATE OF MIND STANCE

Abstract

This study investigates how access to solar energy influences happiness-conceptualized as state of mind and measured through emotional and mental well-being construct. The study utilizes a cross sectional datasets comprising of 300 drawn from treatment group (a community with solar energy) and another 300 from untreated group (a community without solar energy). The Propensity Matching Score analysis was employed and the results show that access to solar energy significantly enhance happiness with the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) indicating a 1.70 increase in happiness score for the treated group compared to the control group (t-statistics =19.34, p<0.01). Anchored in welfare economics and capabilities approach, findings aligns with prior empirical studies confirming that solar energy access improves quality of life, security and psychological well-being in rural areas. The study recommends that policy makers promote affordable solar energy and integrate well-being indicators into national energy strategies, and foster community-based solar projects to enhance social cohesion subjective well-being.