Energy supply to the rural and remote communities, particularly in developing countries, is a more complex activity rather than a simple selection of the best technology. The success of a newly implemented technology depends on the acceptance by the users and vice versa.

A number of PV technologies have been implemented in the Pacific Island Developing States (PIDs) but there is hardly any empirical evidence of their impact on the communities. In this study, the role of PV technologies in the process of sustainable development was investigated.

The following two research questions were used in this investigation:
1. In what ways have the PV technologies contributed to the development of the communities?; and
2. Have PV technologies been a reliable and viable energy alternative in these communities?

These questions which incorporate complementary and interrelated perspectives were used to form the assessment framework. This framework was used to develop structured and semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions which were used to carry out surveys in Fiji and Kiribati . These surveys comprised of making on-site visits to some communities in these two countries. A total of 160 participants from 12 different rural and remote communities were recruited from the two countries. In addition to this, there were some focus group discussions as well.

This paper reports a summary of the results of this field research. Some recommendations that will promote sustainable development of the rural and remote communities in Fiji and Kiribati, through the use of PV technologies, are also presented.