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Decentralized Solutions for Developing Economies pp 53–64Cite as

Prospects for Electricity Access in Rural India Using Solar Photovoltaic Based Mini-Grid Systems

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Part of the book series: Springer Proceedings in Energy ((SPE))

Abstract

Solar photovoltaic (PV) based mini-grid systems have the potential to be an environmentally friendly and sustainable long term solution for electricity access in India. However, the high upfront costs of these mini-grids present policy makers, entrepreneurs and consumers alike with difficulties in financing them. Other challenges to their implementation stem from socio-economic issues and from the lack of adequate support from government agencies. We assess the potential for deployment of solar PV based mini-grids in rural India, for the provision of on demand electricity access, 24 × 7, beyond just lighting. We describe one very high-quality off-grid installation in detail, in operation for over 2 years now, that exemplifies the challenges involved in providing sustainable and scalable solutions. We highlight some of the best practices that have been brought out in this installation. We review the policy measures of the Indian government in the context of scaling out such innovative solutions, not just in remote off-grid villages and hamlets but also in grid-connected villages, and argue that the elusive goal of 100 % electrification can in fact be achieved by the year 2022, when India turns 75, given a conductive policy environment.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    http://www.mnre.gov.in/schemes/grid-connected/solar/.

  2. 2.

    The Government of India distinguishes between micro-grids (<10 kWp) and mini-grids (between 10 kWp and 250 kWp). For the purposes of this paper we refer to both as mini-grids.

  3. 3.

    Assuming there are 50,000 small, remote, villages each consisting of 40–50 households and accommodating 200 residents on average.

  4. 4.

    Private conversation with officials from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India.

  5. 5.

    http://powermin.nic.in/whats_new/pdf/Guidelines_for_Village_Electrification_DDG_under_RGGVY.pdf.

  6. 6.

    The exchange rate is approximately Rs. 62 to 1 US Dollar.

  7. 7.

    The original thinking with regard to commercial loads was that local entrepreneurs could use electricity to provide value-added services to the community. However, only shared community resources have come up so far. No differential pricing for this ‘commercial’ load has been envisaged.

  8. 8.

    A 10 kWp system is expected to generate approximately 12,000–14,000 units (kWh) of billable electricity annually.

  9. 9.

    Four times the cost paid by urban residential consumers.

  10. 10.

    Many State governments set an upper limit on the tariff that is chargeable to consumers, depending on whether they are above or below the poverty line.

  11. 11.

    Rahul Sankhe, MD SunEdison, speaking at ORF Mumbai, July 2012.

  12. 12.

    See http://www.nsdcindia.org/index.aspx.

  13. 13.

    The authors refer to grid sizes below 100 kWp.

  14. 14.

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-05-19/modi-to-use-solar-to-bring-power-to-every-home-by-2019.html.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Observer Research Foundation (ORF), NKM International House, 178 Backbay Reclamation, Babubhai Chinai Marg, Mumbai, 400 020, India

    Leena Chandran-Wadia

  2. Goldman School of Public Policy, University of California, Berkeley, USA

    Shruti Mahajan Deorah

  3. Gram Oorja Solutions Private Limited, NCL Innovation Park, Pashan, Pune, 411 008, India

    Sameer Nair & Anshuman Lath

Authors
  1. Leena Chandran-Wadia
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  2. Shruti Mahajan Deorah
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  3. Sameer Nair
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  4. Anshuman Lath
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leena Chandran-Wadia .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. ZTG Sekr. HBS1, Technische Universität Berlin Microenergy Systems Research Group, Berlin, Germany

    Sebastian Groh

  2. ZTG Sekr. HBS1, Technische Universität Berlin Microenergy Systems Research Group, Berlin, Germany

    Jonas van der Straeten

  3. ZTG Sekr. HBS1, Technische Universität Berlin Microenergy Systems Research Group, Berlin, Germany

    Brian Edlefsen Lasch

  4. University of California Berkeley Rural Energy Group, Berkeley, California, USA

    Dimitry Gershenson

  5. Faculty of Life Sciences, Hamburg University of Applied Science, Hamburg, Germany

    Walter Leal Filho

  6. Class of 135 Distinguished, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA

    Daniel M. Kammen

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Chandran-Wadia, L., Deorah, S.M., Nair, S., Lath, A. (2015). Prospects for Electricity Access in Rural India Using Solar Photovoltaic Based Mini-Grid Systems. In: Groh, S., van der Straeten, J., Edlefsen Lasch, B., Gershenson, D., Leal Filho, W., Kammen, D. (eds) Decentralized Solutions for Developing Economies. Springer Proceedings in Energy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15964-5_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15964-5_5

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-15963-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-15964-5

  • eBook Packages: EnergyEnergy (R0)

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