From lives to livelihoods, solar powers opportunity for Indian households

Indian households with a solar home system (SHS) report significant improvements to their quality of life as people feel safer and their children have more time to study. Systems also provide big boosts to income for 1 in 10 owners, who are using their SHS to light and power businesses and to unlock more work hours. The findings are part of a new report published by GOGLA, the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry.

The Powering Opportunities in South Asia research funded by UK AID and conducted by Altai Consulting titled, surveyed 949 households in South Asia, primarily including rural customers from the Indian states of Assam and Uttar Pradesh.

It concluded that an overwhelming 94 per cent of the households surveyed reported an improvement to their quality of life after buying a solar home system, with a majority reporting positive impacts in the areas of safety (90 per cent) and education (66 per cent).

Customers also use their solar systems for income generating activities or to increase their working hours, resulting in increased earnings. Eleven per cent of households surveyed reported an increase in income levels by up to $66 per month on average thanks to their solar home system. A total of 12 per cent reported increased economic activity as they can work more or use their system for business. This increase in economic activity translated to 4FTE jobs created for every hundred units of solar home systems sold.

Viraj Gada, GOGLA’s India Regional Representative, said, “The Powering opportunities in South Asia report shows that, even with the impressive strides made by the Indian government to increase grid access, small-scale solar continues to have an important role for Indian households. Although a majority of customers are using their solar home systems as a back up to the central grid, the additional energy security and power the systems provide are boosting quality of life and unlocking economic opportunities for those in rural and remote areas.

He further added, “Given the huge potential for small scale solar to enhance the national electrification efforts, we urge the government to explore ways it can further support the off-grid solar industry, to help more people in rural areas to benefit from clean, affordable solar technology.”