The overall goal of the Program is to provide sustained access to clean and reliable renewable energy to the target beneficiary, largely women, primarily for solar lighting through focused capacity building activities.

Winrock International India (WII) is implementing this unique program with a focus to improve access to clean energy and modern lighting to the remote villages of eastern Uttar Pradesh based on solar photovoltaic applications (mainly solar lanterns) through a market development initiative. Activities under this program include, awareness generation campaigns for the self-help groups (SHGs), and other stakeholders such as financial institutions, entrepreneurs, dealers, electricians, thereby developing a sustainable network. This project is being funded by a Europe-based Foundation.

The Project Management Cell is set-up in Bhadohi, Uttar Pradesh, which is close to the project area and the Project Team visits the members of the SHGs and discusses issues related to their lighting needs and the benefits of using solar lanterns. Demonstrations of solar lanterns are carried out at night in the villages. Training on operation and maintenance is being provided to local mechanics, dealers, and the motivators. There is an immense interest among the individual members to own this "lamten" (as it is commonly called in this part of India). The supply chain components comprising banks, dealers, manufacturers, and motivators to ensure the sustainability of the project are in place. Solar lanterns are being disseminated to the end-users who purchase them at full price. Having understood the benefits of solar energy, more and more villagers are coming forward to procure these solar lanterns.

After successful completion of Phase I, the next phase up to October 2007 would cover the following activities:

• Expansion of the solar lantern initiative to spread geographically to all the 200 villages in Rampur and Ramnagar Blocks of Jaunpur district. Other solar PV products will also be promoted based on the needs assessments of the people.
• Augment the income levels of SHGs by helping them set-up businesses that have a built-in renewable energy component. WII will train SHG members and facilitate them to set-up small businesses that would help them augment their income.
• Address the cooking energy needs of the target communities in an environmentally friendlier manner. Assessments through detailed survey would be conducted to identify cooking patterns and understand the associated problems. WII will try to address these problems by introducing different cooking products.
• Monitoring and Verification of the various impacts/benefits of this intervention. WII will conduct detailed surveys to collect baseline data that would be used for comparison to evaluate the impacts of the program at the end of the project duration.

Achievements:

• A supply chain mechanism comprising of lantern manufacturer, local dealers, electricians, banks, motivators and the beneficiaries is in place.
• Over 600 solar lanterns have been disseminated to villagers in the region.
• WII is working in over 160 villages in Rampur and Ramnagar blocks of Jaunpur district.
• New solar products are being tested based on user feedback
• Detailed socio-economic survey conducted to capture baseline data.
• Indoor Air Quality measurements have been conducted to compare emission levels
• A few improved cooking devices have been identified are presently being field-tested.  Once there are found viable, the initiative would be scaled-up.
• Mass awareness generation campaigns have been organised during local “meals” at festival time.
• Awareness programs have also been organised at schools and colleges.
• A Hindi newsletter “Saur Chetna” is published regularly.