Conference article

Growing energy demand; increase in carbon emissions due to increase in fossil fuels it becomes imperative for developing regions like South Asia to switch to non-conventional sources of energy. Being naturally blessed with the renewable energy resources it becomes easy for these countries to switch. The best resource to be harnessed in the region is the solar energy through Photovoltaic technology. The best part about this technology is its suitability for remote area rural electrification which is the need of hour in the region Access to electricity is essential to bring about equitable economic development in sustainable manner. But; there exist barriers which hold back the development of renewable energy resources. While some countries in this region like India; Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been able to develop the markets for PV; other countries in the region are yet to develop policies and programs. Financial initiatives as a result of policy push have major role to play in developing the market. Un-electrified rural population being very high in this region; the countries like Nepal; Bhutan Pakistan and Maldives which seeks to develop the market can learn from the success stories of these countries.

Photovoltaic; South Asia; Policy; Rural development