Why Solar Energy

In 2014, a World Bank report stated that India was home to the world’s largest unelectrified population. For more than 240 million people, power is either unaffordable or inaccessible. This population is concentrated in rural areas where expanding the national power grid is very expensive. On the other hand, an expanding economy and a growing population will make India the driver of global energy demand by 2040. With greater reliance on technology in all walks of life, access to affordable sources electricity has become one of the essential factors in expanding businesses, helping children study, and other activities related to the well-being of a household. Gradually, solar energy is being seen as a panacea to the persistent electricity crisis in rural India.

As solar technology gets more advanced and cheap, more rural households are considering solar lamps and lighting systems as a way to harness abundant sunlight. Observing this trend, FWWB started the Solar energy Program with the aim of providing economical and sustainable solar lighting solutions to areas which have little or no access to electricity. It was initiated as a pilot project in the state of Manipur in 2009 with support from SIDBI. The program focuses on providing loan support to microfinance institutions. It also generates awareness about the different kinds of solar products available, service providers, costs, and maintenance.