Socially constructed design in context of small-scale solar photovoltaic home system

Abstract

Societal relevance plays an important role in the dissemination of solar photovoltaic home system design in rural context, as it syndicates economic benefits for livelihood improvement along with social and environmental advantage. For socially responsible design, it must cradle design that apprehends and bring positive social change. Furthermore, socially constructed design facilitates the progress of a rural community in a wider context such as upscaling the rural livelihood, generating microenterprise opportunities, etc. Energy poverty is one of the main concerns especially for the development of Northeastern states of India. This creates a disparity, leading to economic backwardness of the region. In this regard, socially constructed energy solutions may emerge as an integral part of growth and development. The noticeable benefits due to the adoption of small-scale solar photovoltaics home system in the social context of rural northeast India studied in this paper. During the field study, it is observed that such approach could overcome present challenges like lack of involvement of local stakeholders and lack of employment-related opportunities necessary to facilitate the diffusion of solar photovoltaics home system to the rural household. As a result, socially constructed energy solutions can become a part of the rural development promoting local self-reliance. In addition, this may facilitate dissemination of renewable energy technologies along with socioeconomic development of the rural community in the region.