Social Impact of Solar Home System in Rural Bangladesh: A Case Study of Rural Zone

Authors: Sabbir Ahmed Khan & A K M Abdul Malek Azad, BRAC University, Bangladesh
Email: khan.sabbirahmed@yahoo.com
Published: September 2014
https://doi.org/10.22492/ijsee.1.1.01

Citation: Khan, S. A., & Azad, A. K. M. A. M. (2014). Social Impact of Solar Home System in Rural Bangladesh: A Case Study of Rural Zone. IAFOR Journal of Sustainability, Energy & the Environment, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.22492/ijsee.1.1.01


Abstract

The Initial research on the Solar Home System (SHS) was related to an evaluation of its present circumstances in Bangladesh. Afterwards, considering its increasing demand, a significant research study was conducted to find standardized qualification testing procedures for SHS components. Sequentially, the following re- search deals with the socio-economic impact and sustainable development in rural areas of Bangladesh using SHS. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methodological tactics, were used to provide descriptive evidence concerning electricity's impact on the assessable socio-economic data. Qualitative consultations with the specialists involved in the SHS propagation method, delivered overall information related to SHS packages and exposed the professional's individual opinion regarding socio-economic impacts of solar electricity in a rural part of Bangladesh. To finalize this information with field-level data, a pervasive household survey and individual short interviews with shop-keepers were performed in a rural area near Dhaka city. SHS's contribute to sustainable development mainly through the improvement of social aspects in rural life. The implementation of SHS's in rural Bangladesh, causes optimistic impacts, particularly in the areas of education, health, information, communication, social security and household works. Moreover, the plummeting of CO2 emissions through the substitution of traditional lighting fuels has to be mentioned as a positive environmental impact. The economic impacts of the SHS's are limited to an increase in income of shops. Previously SHS's were mostly used by households who possessed high incomes however by now focusing on the poorer house- holds has extended the opportunity of developing both socio-economic groups. During the last few decades, the implementation rate of SHSs are much notable than any other renewable energy system. This is especially so in rural areas. Showing the impact on rural development, this research will amplify the opportunity of SHS's in the long run having adequate government subsidy.

Keywords

solar home system (SHS), social-economic impact, rural development, battery management, level of satisfaction