CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2018
| Author | Jawaid, Eqra |
|---|---|
| Title | The Growth of Solar Off-grid Energy Technology: A Case Study of Dharnai Solar Village in Bihar, India |
| Summary | Despite the efforts of rural electrification from both central and state governments, Bihar is the least electrified state in the country. It is found in the literature that decentralized solutions such as renewable off-grid systems can be a viable and more efficient option for rural electrification. Recently, a smart solar off-grid system has been developed in Dharnai village in Bihar with the assistance of Greenpeace India. The aim of the thesis was to investigate and identify drivers and barriers to the growth of the solar off-grid system in Dharnai, fill the knowledge gap about the solar off-grid sector, and provide recommendations to improve the sector in the state. Data collected from interviews and focus group discussion in Dharnai was analyzed using Painuly’s (2001) framework. The findings suggested that significant drivers are unmet demands of consumers, policy ambitions, consumer’s capacity and willingness to pay, benefits of solar perceived by consumers, an indicator of development, and uncertainty about the grid connection. Furthermore, significant barriers to the growth of solar off-grid systems are policy loopholes, unmet demands of consumers, consumer’s affordability, and lack of financing options. The thesis recommends that the Bihar government should start awareness campaigns to improve consumer’s lack of awareness about the benefits of solar off-grid systems; make grid expansion predictable so that consumers have clarity about its timeline; take appropriate measures to improve financing and overall affordability of the consumers. |
| Supervisor | Watt, Alan; Cherp, Aleh |
| Department | Environment Sciences and Policy MSc |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2018/jawaid_eqra.pdf |
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