Socio-Economic Acceptance for Stand-Alone Solar PV Systems: Survey Evidence from Southern Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Despite being affluent in solar energy, Pakistan has not yet exerted serious efforts in disseminating socioeconomic awareness and development in solar energy throughout the country. This study aims to explore the current level of solar energy utilization and the existing public interest in the growth of solar energy in southern Punjab, Pakistan. Moreover, this work finds the problems in solar energy adoption and the public expectations from the government and other entities involved in the development of solar energy. The survey results that 82% of respondents are keenly interested in solar energy adoption. Nevertheless, most of the respondents recount the difficulties like expensive solar panels, competitive matured technologies, lack of information and the public mistrust of the solar providers that could hinder them from solar acceptance. In addition, 78% of respondents highlight the importance of research funding and 73% favor the installation of new solar power plants. Regarding the government contribution, 85% reported the government institutes to be the most important in establishing the solar energy in Pakistan. Furthermore, this paper gives some survey-based policy recommendations favoring solar energy development. Therefore, this work presents some useful knowledge for the solar energy policy makers, solar developers, and the solar investors.