Solar home systems for rural India: Survey evidence on awareness and willingness to pay from Uttar Pradesh

Energy poverty and perceptions of solar power in marginalized communities: Survey evidence from Uttar Pradesh, India

“…Studies indicate that, in general, many rural households across the world are not aware of solar power [7,16]. In rural Uttar Pradesh, a recent survey suggests that willingness to pay is positively associated with knowledge and awareness of solar technology [23]. The lack of awareness creates a vicious cycle.…”

A review of the behavioural change challenges facing a proposed solar and battery electric cooking concept

“…Evidence from several countries suggests that awareness of and interest in investing in SHS is generally highest among younger households (Rebane & Barham 2011;Urpelainen & Yoon 2015) with higher levels of education and income (Urpelainen & Yoon 2015;Samad et al 2013). In the short term, this implies that uptake of PV-eCook is likely be highest in these market segments, however in the longer term, awareness raising campaigns should also be targeted at older, poorer and less well educated households in order to maximise uptake.…”

“…However, it is also true to say that in other instances SHS users have kept their panels even after the arrival of the grid due to the unreliability of the latter. From the other experiences reviewed, the expectation would be that it would be younger, better educated and richer households that would be likely to transition to eCook first, however, in order to ensure that other members of society are also able to benefit, longer term awareness raising campaigns should specifically target older, less well educated and poorer households (Urpelainen & Yoon 2015;Samad et al 2013;Sovacool et al 2011). …”

“…(Jacobson 2007;Laufer & Schäfer 2011;Komatsu et al 2011;Mondal & Klein 2011) Initially, target younger, better educated and richer households, but focus longer term awareness raising campaigns on older, less well educated and poorer households. (Samad et al, 2013;Urpelainen & Yoon, 2015) • Larger systems for community services, e.g. schools, and small businesses.…”

“…Women's time collecting fuel was reduced and their decision making at home (on certain topics) increased through connection with modern society via 'connective' (Jacobson 2007) applications such as TV, radio and mobile phones. Urpelainen & Yoon (2015) surveyed 760 households in India's Uttar Pradesh and found that willingness to pay for SHS increased with income and education levels. Younger households and those who already had a grid connection (and therefore appreciated the benefits of access to electricity) were also found to be more willing to pay.…”