Are off-grid solar PV systems feasible in South Asia?

These findings align with Baurzhan and Jenkins and Sun et al. , who explored the feasibility of off-grid solar PV systems in South Asia, emphasizing factors like cost-effectiveness, affordability, financing, environmental impact, and poverty alleviation.

Can off-grid solar PV be a game-changer for rural electrification in South Asia?

Off-grid solar PV emerges as a game-changer for rural electrification and a catalyst for sustainable agricultural development in South Asia. Governments and development agencies can prioritize investments in solar PV systems to address energy poverty and boost agricultural productivity. 1. Introduction

Does South Asia need an energy transformation?

South Asia needs an energy transformation, shifting from scarcity to abundance. Renewable energy, like solar home systems (SHS), can fuel both economic growth and agricultural development, tackling the dual challenge of limited resources and poor energy access [82, 80].

Does off-grid solar PV improve rural energy access?

In this regard, the first model analyzes whether off-grid solar PV improves rural energy access, measured by electrification rates. Our results reveal a significant positive impact, demonstrating the potential of solar PV in addressing energy deficits. The second model investigated the link between rural electrification and agricultural production.

Does South Asia need solar power?

The UN acknowledges that energy is a crucial enabler for attaining SDGs (World Bank, 2016; Bukari et al., 2021b; ), and despite South Asia's abundant solar resources, solar PV capacity in the region is underutilized.

Are solar home systems a viable alternative to the National Grid?

Renewable energy, like solar home systems (SHS), can fuel both economic growth and agricultural development, tackling the dual challenge of limited resources and poor energy access [82, 80]. Notably, SHS outperform the national grid in service quality, making them a potent solution (Groh et al., 2016).