Solar Lanterns: Technology Adoption Model for Indian Villages

Abstract

Photovoltaic technology is one of the most promising ways to generate electricity in a decentralized manner, especially for lighting and meeting small electricity needs in un-electrified households and unmanned locations. In India lack of electricity infrastructure is one of the main hurdles in the development of rural India. In most of the rural India grid based power distribution is not possible due to high costs, kerosene is the only source of energy in some villages, and so off grid solar power sources are necessary for providing electricity. In this paper, we study the drivers and barriers for the adoption of solar lanterns in rural India, conduct and economic analysis and present a framework for solar lanterns adaption. The model involves four major players, technology manufacturers, NGOs and village leaders, lending institutions, and central and local governments. In the proposed framework post offices in the villages are operate as a single point of contact for sales, financing, payments and maintenance.