Assessing the Potential of Decentralized Solar Energy for Livelihood Creation and Reducing Migration

Abstract

Limited availability of energy in rural areas hampers irrigation and obstructs creation of other livelihood opportunities
that forces people to migrate. One of the solutions to the problem is utilization of decentralized solar photovoltaic and
solar thermal technologies to create livelihood opportunities along with provision for irrigation. The recent examples of
public private partnership in Bihar for deployment of solar pumps have enabled irrigation, despite rising diesel prices and
limited power availability for few hours in a week. The solar panels generate electricity that can be used directly to operate
irrigation pumps or can be used for charging batteries. Solar lamps and other livelihood creating equipments can be
operated using the batteries charged. Solar thermal applications in dairy and agro-processing industries can create
livelihood opportunities. The innovation or uniqueness in the approach proposed in this paper is of implementing
community owned solar photovoltaic or solar thermal technologies. Sharing of the equipments by different users will
enhance the economic viability of these technologies. Solar pumps will help farmers to irrigate land and earn livelihood
from agriculture while charged batteries can provide energy for micro-enterprises. Solar thermal technologies can enable
livelihood creation by enabling farmers to process agricultural produce in rural areas. Solar powered milk processing units
can also generate employment.