Kerosene to Solar Swap

KEROSENE TO SOLAR SWAP Policy Brief #2 Building a Market for Off-Grid Solar Lighting Ankita Jena and Hari Natrajan* August 2017 Introduction This policy brief looks at the current market situation for off-grid solar technologies in India and the current barriers to an enabling business environment for solar. [...] This paper is the second in a series of three policy briefs examining the links between the use of kerosene fuel and off-grid solar applications for lighting in rural India. [...] Policy Brief 1 examines the existing system of kerosene subsidies in India, the key issues facing this system and the implications of kerosene subsidies for the dissemination of clean, alternative off-grid solar lighting (Garg, Sharma, Clarke, & Bridle, 2017). [...] The Key Benefits of Off-Grid Solar Technologies There is growing evidence that solar off-grid systems play a direct role in the enhancement of quality of life—thanks to the savings made; improved safety; longer days for study, work, business-activities and socialization; and better health. [...] However, the market penetration of solar applications is expected to continue to grow due to the falling cost of photovoltaic modules and batteries, increasing access to finance and increased awareness of the various benefits of GSI POLICY BRIEF Kerosene Subsidies in India: The status quo, challenges and the emerging path to reform IISD.org/gsi.