A Study on Socio-Economic Impact of Solar Home System on Community (A Case Study of Maharudra VDC, Baitadi District, Nepal)

Abstract

This Study entitled “A Study on the Socio-Economic Impact of Solar Home System on Community (A Case Study of Maharudra VDC of Baitadi District, Nepal)” was conducted with the objectives of assessing energy scenario, per capita energy consumption, finding socio-economic and other impact of SHS to the users and assess the knowledge and attitude towards SHS in Maharudra VDC (specially in ward no: 1,2 and 3) of Baitadi District. This study is mainly based in the primary information and the data were collected using the techniques of field survey with the help of questionnaire, field visit and observation. There were 712 households (HHs) in the VDC. Of the total households, there were 186 HHs in ward no.1, 2 and 3, 40 households who have installed and still using Solar Home System and 10 Solar Home System non-users was selected as the sample for the study. During the study it is found that Brahhmin 48%(24) were the main beneficiaries of SHS, Agriculture 58%(29) was the main occupation among 50HHs, the average family size of the sample Households were 6.56 persons per family, average literacy rate 70.12%, Among 50 HHs, 40%(20) sample HHs can support expenditure by their income for 8 to 12 months, 42.43%(14) sample HHs noticed increased study hour of their children by at least one hour after installing SHS. Firewood was the most common sources of energy with highest per capita energy share, 13.15 GJ by SHS users and 12.608 GJ by SHS non-users. Only 52.5% SHS users uses kerosene while 100% SHS non users uses kerosene. The use of kerosene by SHS shares 0.00367 GJ(27.5 l) in per capita energy consumption which is far less than by SHS non-users which was 0.067348 GJ(127 l). By installing SHS a household have saved at least Rs 1309 annually compared to SHS non users from kerosene. This VDC not still connected to national grid; and there were no LPG. The per capita energy share of solar energy is 3.124 GJ. The average Per capita energy consumption of total 50 samples HHs of Maharudra VDC was 13.24GJ, which is slightly less than national per capita energy consumption by 0.96 GJ. Out of total energy consumption,(4342552.5MJ) the share of traditional energy ( fuelwood 3518505MJ) was 81.02%, commercial energy(kerosene 5810MJ) 0.13% and of solar energy(818640MJ) 18.85% . Similarly highest no. of SHS 35% was installed in the year 2070B.S, 22.5% was installed in the year 2067 and rest in different years till Baisakh 2071. Most commonly installed system is of 20WP by 67.5% HHs, 87.5% people has access to radio, 92.5% HHs have access to mobile phones and only 2.5% received all radio, television and phone facilities. Each SHS users have DC to AC inverter as mobile charging systems. About 60% HHs used 1 to 4 no. of bulbs, 47.5% HHs used CFL and Tube Light, 62.5% HHs used SHS for lighting two hours daily and 37.5% HHs faced the maintenance problem with SHS in the study area. From the study it was found that all the households using SHS are getting benefit through white and smokeless light, had saved money from buying kerosene significantly, had started various income generating activities at local level by both men and women resulting gender equality and women empowerment. Their access to energy and means of communication has increased, local health post are running facilities at night during emergency , children study hour has increased significantly, no. of accidental fire hazard because of kerosene lighting has decreased. By the use of SHS, the reduction in emission of CO2 equivalent and motivation for entrepreneurship development at local level has helped positively in reduction of poverty and in holistic development of rural areas. All users were very positive towards SHS installation. They suggested that focus should be given in easy availability of solar components at low price and skilled technicians at local level as well as clear plans and policies for further promotion and sustainable development of solar home system is most.