A Study on User satisfaction on solar lighting devices in rural households in Koppal district, Karnataka, India

Yabbati Nagaraju; Dr Lasya Gopal; Udayakumar Kollimath

Volume : IX, Issue : VIII, August - 2020

A Study on User satisfaction on solar lighting devices in rural households in Koppal district, Karnataka, India

Yabbati Nagaraju, Dr Lasya Gopal, Udayakumar Kollimath

Abstract :

Lighting is a very essential amenity for rural development. It gives identity for the villages and provides illumination for doing different activities at the household level such as cooking, children’s study, entertainment and livelihood activities. Absence of lighting is a hurdle for productivity during post sunset and thus impact on economic growth in rural areas. In Karnataka, currently electricity is supplied through grid with expensive infrastructure. Most villages like Karkihalli in Koppal district, Karnataka are electrified, however erratic power supply has resulted in the use of traditional kerosene lamps or paraffin wax candles for lighting. These are expensive options, emit smoke and harmful to the human health. One of the environment friendly and safe alternative solution for this problem is the adoption of solar based lighting devices (Lanterns), which are reasonable and portable too. To address this issue and provide clean lighting solution in Karkihalli village in Koppal district, Karnataka, solar lanterns were extended to 250 households with the support of Salesforce Foundation. This paper provides an overview of the user satisfaction on solar lanterns, cost savings as compared to conventional lighting fuels, social, economic and environmental benefits.