Solar electricity for rural areas

Sustained publicity campaigns are needed for creating mass awareness. The NGOs and the private sector have to come in a big way. It is a big potential market, but the government has to play a dominating role initially, till the take-off period is reached.

The mass production stage has to be aimed for, to reduce the cost of installation. The import levies have to be marginal, as this is a part of essential public service.

Except the solar panels, most of the other components and fixtures may be fabricated locally. Visibility of the project has to be ensured. Financial incentive is a must, for single or group buyers' users.

The wind turbine culture has also to pick up. Biogas energy has already drawn some popularity. More attention has to be paid to mini hydel projects in the isolated areas. Operation and maintenance should not be big problems (we are already exporting wet batteries). The laying of gas pipelines is very costly (capital cost), hence the waiting period is very long: but mini LPG cylinders/containers are not being pushed in the market in a big way.

A Coordination cell could play a positive role. Financing may not be a problem. But sales have to pick up by reducing the cost (HP schemes may be published). The role of the village cooperatives is vital for logistics support, but, unfortunately, there is a poor image prevailing (thanks to the politicians' role). The positive effect on the GDP would be noticeable within in less than decade.