Impacts of solar home systems on social development in rural Bangladesh

This study was carried out to find the impacts of solar home systems (SHSs) application at selected villages in Gazipur district, Bangladesh. A questionnaire-based survey method was used to collect primary data from the period of October 2004 to January 2005. The research reveals that solar electrification provided direct and indirect benefits to the users of the system, with many implications of a permanent nature. Reduction of kerosene usage was the main impact of SHSs. It resulted in less pollution, higher quality light and more hours of light in the evening, as well as less work for cleaning kerosene lamps. Very few income generation activities were created after acquiring SHSs in the studied villages. But the people who were engaged with business using traditional fuel, switched to solar light that added a little bit more income due to extended working hours in the evening. Women and children were found to benefit from the quality of light for household work and studying in the evening. Users became accustomed to the better quality of light and could not perceive returning back to kerosene lamps. Solar electrification also added to the overall comfort and satisfaction of the consumers.

Research Highlights
► The research reveals that solar electrification provided direct and indirect benefits.
► Women and children were found to benefit from the quality of light.
► Very few income generation activities were created.
► The study cautions against unreasonable expectations regarding the potential and sufficiency of solar energy systems.