I had read they were disappointed in the solar PV output in...

I had read they were disappointed in the solar PV output in trials, and couldn't see how it could viably replace diesel. That was also when battery storage was not getting much attention and early days in technical innovation.

Now there are a large range of batteries of all different types - lithium-ion, zinc-bromide flow, even saltwater that are entering the market, so that all puts a different emphasis on electric power if it can be cost effectively distributed - by renewable means wherever possible.

Maldives committed in 2010 to carbon neutrality by 2020 (a bit of stretch now obviously) and so it's a problem they cant ignore.

The reliance on diesel is also an impediment to future growth and development quite apart from the environmental toll, so they shouldn't discount it.

Plus one successful trial in power replacement on one atoll, and you might well get a domino effect.

Add to that, electrification of the small to medium size boating market is also gaining more interest, so you are going to need remote power sources from somewhere, and you overcome your diesel problems at the same time.