Background

The project was aimed at improving the access to clean energy and modern lighting for 200 villages of eastern Uttar Pradesh, based on solar photovoltaic applications (mainly solar lanterns) through a market development initiative. The program deals with the provision of RE services to the target groups (mostly women engaged in carpet making). Mass awareness campaigns were organized to popularize the benefits of these products and training programs were also planned to sensitize bank officials to offer adequate loans for purchase of solar products. An impact assessment study was also undertaken to ascertain the impacts, quantitatively and qualitatively that strongly demonstrated the linkage between access to energy viz a viz enhanced income levels of the beneficiary groups.

Objective

Provision of sustained access to clean and reliable renewable energy to the target beneficiary, largely women and children, primarily for solar lighting through focused capacity building activities. The purpose of the program is to improve access to clean energy and modern lighting based on solar photovoltaic applications through a market development initiative.

Activities

Activities under this program included awareness generation campaigns for the self-help groups, villagers and other stakeholders such as financial institutions, entrepreneurs, thereby developing a sustainable network.

Achievements

Village Demonstrations

It was felt that the most effective way of generating awareness about solar lanterns was to conduct village level demonstrations. In order to convey the message more effectively, it was decided to conduct maximum number of village demonstrations after nightfall so that the prospective customers could get a genuine idea about the illumination capability of the products. It was decided to insist upon presence of women for each village demonstration.

Supply Chain Components

All the supply chain components and their individual roles were developed and established. After undertaking a careful selection study, one manufacturer was identified. The products were channelled through local dealers in the two selected blocks.

One important link in the process of establishment of a supply chain has been that of a Motivator. The Motivators are local residents and therefore well known in the area and well versed in banking procedures, etc.

Sensitization of Bank Managers

Focussed Branch Manager Training Programs were organized for Bankers in the region to provide lending for solar products.

Exit phase

During the exit phase, the project team focused on developing a model solar village that comprised of solar lanterns, solar home lighting systems, solar street lights for lighting and a community solar water pump for drinking water and irrigation for the village community. WII identified a Harijan basti (hamlet) in Damodara village comprising of 34 families who understood the benefits of the solar lantern and invested in them. Most of the households have now repaid their loans on easy installments (assistance provided by WII). Two households own diesel / electric pumps who provide water to nearby lands by taking a service fee. However, there were at least 12 households who were unable to irrigate their lands. In order to develop Damodara village as a model solar village, solar street lights were installed at prominent locations for the benefit of the villagers to move around in the late evening hours. A solar water pump was also installed to provide clean and safe drinking water to the entire community. The additional water available from the solar water pump is now used to provide irrigation facilities for the needy families who depend primarily on rain for irrigation.

Impacts and replication potential:

At present, over 900 solar lanterns have been disseminated to the beneficiaries. By using solar lanterns, the beneficiaries have definitely reduced the recurring expenditure on kerosene, in fact, in some case even stopped spending on kerosene. There are also examples where villagers have earned an extra income by way of working late into the evening hours. There are several successful stories of lanterns being used for applications other than lighting.

The initiation of this project has benefited the local community immensely, most of whom have daily additional incomes ranging between Rs. 50 to Rs. 100.

These impacts have been measured both qualitatively and quantitatively, some of which are:

• Children felt less strain on their eyes while studying with solar lanterns.
• With the increase in the average number of working hours by 2.1 hours per day, the average annual income (income earned during the extra productive hours) has increased by Rs. 5,504.
• Kerosene consumption has come down to 3.63 litres per month from an average of 8.32 litres per month for a family resulting in reduced expenditure of Rs. 60 for a family.
• Women using solar lanterns for domestic purposes have additionally reported that their quality of life at home in general has improved compared to the time when they were in darkness. Their rooms are now cleaner and devoid of smoke.