Use of solar energy in rural assam: An intervillage analysis analysis

Abstract

The global demand for energy is increasing with excessive dependency on conventional sources. The adverse impact on the environment and ecology induced by conventional sources has led to the shift of energy use to alternate sources of energy that are sustainable. Renewable energy sources have been embraced by the world as the fastest-growing source of energy due to their advantages for ensuring future energy security, stability, and prosperity. The study focuses on solar energy that has a major potential among green energy sources in India. This research highlights the assessment of the extent of use of clean and sustainable source. Assam, being a renewable energy deficit state with a low solar irradiance level, has a relatively higher availability of solar power among Northeastern states. There exists a huge number of remote villages in Assam that are inaccessible to electricity. Since the conventional approach of grid electricity is not feasible for them, solar energy is assumed to be the need of the hour to fulfill the demand for power. To prove the theory, the study aims to examine the inter-district variability of solar energy penetration in rural areas. The first objective includes comparative mapping of the available energy usage across households for different purposes. The analysis is based on the qualitative and quantitative primary household surveys conducted in the villages of two different districts, Barpeta (with solar penetration) and Kokrajhar (without solar penetration). The analysis determined the dependency and variation on solar and conventional sources with the help of demographic parameters and identified energy indicators. The influenced factors are used for the assessment of the substitution of conventional energy sources by solar energy using multi-criteria decision analysis tool. Evaluation of probable challenges in the current government regulatory framework and the preferred alternatives set out to suggest prospects for replication of best practices of green energy in the potential areas and catering to the development of rural Assam.