Gateway to energy democracy and access in India using off-grid solar home systems and PayGo platform

Abstract

More than a billion people around the world still lack access to electricity with more than 300 million of them living in India. Without any other options, these citizens are forced to either go without power or burn kerosene or wood. There is an urgent need for the democratization of energy, which is defined as equitable access for smaller, disadvantaged energy consumers to the high-value energy options currently realized only by larger consumers. This study analyses the problem of energy access in India and it's background and context and proposes the use of off-grid solar home lighting systems (SHS) using Pay-as- you-Go (PayGo) technology and using Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) business model as a viable solution. This is a sustainable, equitable and inclusive solution with the potential to empower and improve the lives of many while having the ability to be rolled-out immediately and scaled-up rapidly. The proposed solution using off-grid SHS enabled by PayGo technology and using EaaS as a business model is an effective and practical first step towards providing access to electricity to people at the bottom of the pyramid who presently have no access and who are forced to use fuel based light sources for illumination. This solution provides a gateway and a pathway for these people to enjoy modern and clean lighting and enable them to break the bonds of social backwardness and provide them the means to transform their lives. The end goal envisions a holistic solution with a judicious mix of grid connectivity along with off-grid solutions to allow these people to move up the ladder of energy access towards energy prosperity.