Impact Evaluation of JEEViKA - TERI & BREDA Energy Access Project at Gaya District of Bihar

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Impact Evaluation of JEEViKA - TERI/BREDA Energy Access Project at Gaya District of Bihar

Debotosh Mahato -Young Professional


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Table of Contents

4 Introduction

5 Background of the Study

5 Location

6 Objectives and Methodology

7 Survey Analyses

7 Problem faced with the fuel used before SHS

8 Monthly Average Quantity and Expenditure on kerosene– Before and

With SHS

9 Solar Light Usage

9 Impact on Women’s Health

10 Expenditure on doctor due to health problems faced by kerosene light

11 Impact on Education

12 Impact on Livelihood

12 Respondents’ willingness to pay for higher capacity of SHS

13 Technical Failure Post Installation of SHS

14 Overall Conclusion

14 Suggestions


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Figure 1 Location of Gaya on the district map of Bihar 6 Figure 2 Problem faced with kerosene as a lighting fuel 7 Figure 3 Monthly Average Kerosene Consumption – Before and With SHS 8 Figure 4 Monthly Average Kerosene Expenditure – Before and With SHS 8 Figure 5 Duration of solar light used from SHS per day 9 Figure 6 Health problems faced by women while using kerosene lamps 9 Figure 7 Type of health problems due to kerosene light 10 Figure 8 Number of annual visits to doctor and the amount of money spent on each visit 11 Figure 9 Number of hours children studying in – Kerosene light and Solar light 11 Figure 10 Number of households generating additional income due to solar light 12 Figure 11 Respondents’ willingness to pay more for higher capacity of SHS 13 Figure 12 Inconveniences caused due to SHS 13


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Introduction

There are many areas inhabiting the Indian

states which are not or poorly connected

with national electricity grid. Lighting being

such a vital part of our lives makes it

necessary for humans to come up with some

or the other systems that help them giving

light. It is humanly impossible to work or

study in un-electrified habitations after the

sun sets, especially in rural India where

people resort to candlelight or kerosene

lamps for carrying out their activities in

evening hours. However, kerosene lamps as

a major lighting source in rural India are

found to pose several negative consequences

on the health and pocket of villagers.

Renewable energy technologies are evolving

as significant alternatives in providing clean

and efficient energy. Many public and

private sector organizations are working to

develop RE alternatives and similarly, Bihar

Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society

(BRLPS), TERI (The Energy Resource

Institute) and Bihar Renewable Energy

Development Agency (BREDA) have taken

initiatives to build and support innovative

lighting solutions using renewable energy.

The renewable energy source of which TERI

is making use of, to tackle the problems of

rural poor of Indian villages which do not

have safe and adequate means of lighting

their homes is solar energy. TERI has

transformed the lives of millions of rural

people under their LaBL - ‘Lighting a

billion lives’ program which aims to bring

light into the lives of many more people in

India and around the world by displacing

kerosene and paraffin lanterns with solar

lighting devices, and providing opportunities

for livelihoods both at the individual and

village level1.

BRLPS in partner with TERI and BREDA

aimed at enhancing social and economic

development of rural poor in villages, have

implemented solar lighting projects wherein

solar lanterns and Solar Home Lighting

Systems (SHLS) have been installed on

either a fee for service model or as a funding

facilitator basis respectively. This paper

highlights the impact study undertaken in

the villages of Gaya district of Bihar on

Solar Home Lighting Systems (SHLS) and

Solar Lanterns installed in 5500 households’

collaboration with TERI and BREDA.

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http://www.teriin.org/index.php?option=co

m_division&task=view_area&id=46

[Accessed online on March 3, 2014]

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Background of the Study

MoU between TERI and BRLPS On 26th October, 2012, a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) was signed between TERI (The Energy Resource Institute) and Bihar Rural Livelihoods

Promotion Society (BRLPS), after which BRLPS became a ‘LaBL Partner Organization’ in

order to promote decentralized clean and more energy efficient fuel technology. BRLPS is an

independent society set up by the Department of Finance, Govt. of Bihar, working for the

improvement of livelihood of the rural poor, especially women under its JEEVIKA project.

Under this MoU, Solar Lighting Home Systems (SHS) are to be installed in 600 households of

villages that are selected by BRLPS in mutual consultation with TERI. TERI through its LaBL

program will provide technical and management inputs and upto 40% financing towards the SHS

project cost. Bihar Rural Livelihoods Promotion Society (BRLPS) promotes LaBL through

Village Organizations (VO) and also identify Self Help Group (SHG) members through VOs in

their operational area. BRLPS will arrange financing (balance of TERI’s contribution) towards

the project cost, either through VOs or directly from beneficiary for installation of SHS in the

site selected; and will also look into field coordination and supervision during pre and post

installation commissioning of SHS.

BRLPS has a strong network of women institution and provide a platform to initiate community

benefited activities. Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA) is the state nodal

agency for the development of renewable energy in Bihar to empower and enrich the people with

natural sources of energy. With the objective to provide the energy resources to JEEVIKA SHG

HHs, JEEVIKA and BREDA jointly took the initiatives to meet the energy need of rural

community.

Location

Gaya district was chosen as the location for initiating the pilot project of SHLS in Bihar. The 600

households under TERI-BRLPS MoU and 4900 households under BREDA-BRLPS MoU that

were identified and selected by BRLPS for the installation of SHLS under the LaBL project are

spread across Tankuppa, Bodhgaya, Mohra, Belaganj,Khizarsarai, Barachatti, Bankey Bazar and

Amas of Gaya district in Bihar. The entire project was implemented in phases stipulated within

one year. The Gaya district lies in the Gangetic alluvial plain, having a moderate climate with

good amount of hot season during the months from March to June.


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Figure 1 Location of Gaya on the district map of Bihar

Objectives and Methodology

The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of the Solar Home Lighting Systems

on various aspects of rural population residing in the villages of Gaya such as economic

condition, health, education and women empowerment and overall change in the standard of

living and, further use this study to replicate the model in other un-electrified or poorly

electrified villages of Bihar.

The area of study taken into account was Tankuppa, Bodhgaya, Bankey Bazar and Amas block

of Gaya. Sample size of the population taken for analysis regarding the impact of Solar Lighting

Home Systems was 100 households. The targeted villages were selected on the basis of time

period of SHS installation. Forty households were selected from the villages where SHS is in

operation since a year or above and the rest sixty households were surveyed from the villages in

which SHS is in operation for less than a year. The selection of the villages was done on random

basis.

Primary data was collected in the form of questionnaire containing a number of close-ended and

a few open ended questions pertaining to the objective under study. The households were chosen

randomly. Questionnaires were filled personally on a field visit to Gaya. After the completion of

the process of data collection, the entire primary data was streamlined, tabulated and processed

manually and technically to draw inferences.


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Survey Analyses

This section describes the major inferences drawn from the responses received from the data

collected through questionnaire

Problem faced with the fuel used before SHS

As shown in the chart below, 99% of the respondents felt that the major problem with using

kerosene as a lighting source is its low illumination. Followed by this, 60% of respondents also

think kerosene cost as a problem because they have to buy extra kerosene which is allocated in

the ration card from private dealers and that cost ranges from Rs.40-50 per litre. Distance of

collecting kerosene from depots was also considered as a problem by 57% of respondents. Many

households are located 4to8 kms away from kerosene depots and 31% respondents also

mentioned that availability is also a problem in the sense that, even after reaching the depot; it is

difficult at times to get the kerosene.

Figure 2 Problem faced with kerosene as a lighting fuel

On the basis of general interaction with the SHS users regarding the problems faced due to

unavailability of proper light after sunset, the major problems found to be were of not being able

to do household chores in dark and travelling to shops to charge cell phones for Rs. 3 to 5 per

day.

Any problem with the kerosene fuel?

Low illumination

Cost

Distance

Availability


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Monthly Average Quantity and Expenditure on kerosene– Before and With SHS

The survey shows that the average monthly kerosene consumption of 100 households before

SHS was 4.6 litres which reduced to 2.1 litres along with SHS. Similarly, the average monthly

expenditure on kerosene for the surveyed households also decreased from Rs.163 to Rs. 54. This

particular analysis is significant in the view to find the cost of recovery of SHS which is Rs.

3000. Like, if we take into account the average amount of money saved on kerosene (163 – 54 =

Rs.109) and the amount of money saved on charging of cell phones (5*15 = Rs.75, if we assume

the average amount charged for cell phone charging and minimum of 15 days on which users go

to the shop), the total money saved per month will be Rs. 184. This deduces that the cost of SHS

can be recovered in around one year and five months. Also, 89% of the respondents believe that

the money spent earlier on kerosene for lighting source is saved after installing solar light.

Figure 3 Monthly Average Kerosene Consumption – Before and With SHS

Figure 4 Monthly Average Kerosene Expenditure – Before and With SHS

0

1

2

3

4

5

Before SHLS

With SHLS

Ke

rose

ne

co

nsu

mp

tio

n in

litr

es

Monthly average quantity of kerosene

Monthly average quantity of kerosene

020406080

100120140160180

Before SHS With SHS

Ke

rose

ne

exp

en

dit

ure

in IN

R

Monthly average expenditure on kerosene


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Solar Light Usage

The chart below shows the number of hours for which the solar light is used in a day. The

majority of the respondents are using solar light between 4 to 6 hours which comprises of 68% of

the sample size. This shows that users are using SHS to its full potential and majority of the

sample size are aware of the fact that using solar light for more than 6 hours will decrease the life

of the battery.

Figure 5 Duration of solar light used from SHS per day

Impact on Women’s Health

Respondents were asked whether the women faced any health problem while working in

kerosene light. Out of 100 respondents, 43 women believe that they faced health problems due to

kerosene light, 12 women thinks that their health problems might be due to kerosene light but

were not too sure and 45 women were of the view that they did not face any health issue while

working in kerosene light.

Figure 6 Health problems faced by women while using kerosene lamps

25%

69%

3% 3%

Duration of solar light used in a day (in hours)

2 to 4

4 to 6

6 to 8

above 8

Any health problem using kerosene lamps?

Yes

No

May be


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The following figure shows the type of health problems the respondents thinks the women have

faced due to or may be due to kerosene light. Out of 55 women, majority of the women that is,

31 were affected by the problem of blackened nostrils, 24 women were faced with the problem

of watery eyes and 7 women also got other problems such as coughing and breathing problem.

Figure 7 Type of health problems due to kerosene light

Expenditure on doctor due to health problems faced by kerosene light

Out of 43 women who believed that they got health problems from using kerosene lamps, 19

consulted a doctor for those problems. Out of those 19, there are 6 women who visited doctor

1to2 times annually, 8 women who made 2to4 visits to doctor in a year, 2 women went 4to6

times and 3 women have made more than 10 visits to doctor annually due to health problems

faced by kerosene light. The graphical representation below also shows that majority of the

women have spent more than Rs.150. This is due to the fact that doctors are mostly not available

in the village and for each visit; the person had to travel to town.

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

Type of health problems due to kerosene light


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Figure 8 Number of annual visits to doctor and the amount of money spent on each visit

Impact on Education

Out of 100 surveyed households, 74 households have children enrolled in schools.

Out of those 74 households, children of 64 (87%) households have an increased interest in

studies. The survey analysis shows that there is certainly an increased interest in studying among

the school going children since the solar light have been installed in their homes. Earlier, when

there was only kerosene as a lighting source then out of 74 respondents, children of 10

respondents did not study and majority of children i.e., 61 used to study for less than two hours

whereas, now in solar light majority of children study for 2to4 hours and there is no such

category of children not studying at all.

Figure 9 Number of hours children studying in – Kerosene light and Solar light

Number of visits to doctor (annually)

1 to 2

2 to 4

4 to 6

6 to 10

above 10

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

The amount of money spent on each visit

Number of hours children studying in

kerosene light

Do not study

Below 2 hr

2 to 4 hr

4 to 6 hr

Number of hours children studying in

solar light

Do not study

Below 2 hr

2 to 4 Hr

4 to 6 hr


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Impact on Livelihood

Respondents were asked if any additional income is generated because of installing solar light in

their homes. Out of 100 households, 6 households were found in which solar light had a direct

impact on generating additional income of the household.

Figure 10 Number of households generating additional income due to solar light

Respondents’ willingness to pay for higher capacity of SHS

The concluding question asked to SHS users was if they would like to buy SHS with higher

capacity (By higher capacity, villagers expect a fan and one or two more light points) and if yes,

then how much more they can pay above what they are paying for the current SHS. Out of 100

surveyed households, 81 respondents were willing to pay more for higher capacity. Out of those

81 respondents, 25 could pay between Rs.1000-2000 more, 25 could pay between Rs. 2000-3000

more, 14 could pay between Rs.3000-4000 more, 7 were of the view that they will pay what

Jeevika will decide for the community and 5 would like to pay Rs.500 for 1 more light point. The

table below depicts the income group of the surveyed households on the basis of their idea of

monthly income. It shows that every household earns above Rs.3000 per month and majority of

them earns between Rs. 5000-7000. This data is useful for deciding on the amount of new SHS

with higher capacity incase to be installed in the same region or adjoining regions of Gaya

district.

Number of households generating additional income due to Solar light

Yes

No


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Figure 11 Respondents’ willingness to pay more for higher capacity of SHS

Technical Failure Post Installation 0f SHS

Out of 100 surveyed households, 11 households faced some kind of inconveniences with SHS

such as flickering of bulb, malfunctioning of charge controller or battery, problem in mobile

charging point and system not working. Out of 11 fault cases, 1 fault was rectified on immediate

basis, 2 faults were addressed promptly but the problem occurred again and for the rest 8 cases,

faults were not rectified since months. In the village of Nawa, Bodhgaya it was found out that in

three surveyed household the system stopped working just after a couple of days from

installation. Also, on the basis of interaction with the bookkeeper of this village, it was found out

that during the second phase installation of SHS in 17 households of Nawa village, 15

households did not get any mobile charging facilities, many batteries had rust on them and many

households are facing problem of charge controller malfunction.

Figure 12 Inconveniences caused due to SHS

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Amount they are ready to pay more

Type of technical failure

Bulb flickering

Charge controller malfunction

Battery malfunction

Problem with mobile charging point


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Overall Conclusion

The study found that there are number of positive impacts of SHS on rural households. The study

found that: first, all users are satisfied with the brightness of the light and happy with the fact that

now their homes are lighted and they have somewhat a control over its usage unlike grid

electricity supply which is highly erratic. Also, households having both SHS and grid electricity

among sample size are satisfied more with SHS as they consider grid connection highly

unreliable and are of the view that if they are given higher capacity with solar like a fan then they

would like to get rid of being grid consumer; second, the school going children are studying

more in solar light (more than 2 hours) as compared to not studying at all or at the most an hour

in kerosene lantern light; third, solar light has helped creating small income generating activities

such as sewing and grocery shops; and fourth, health effects such as blackened nostrils, red eyes,

coughing and watery eyes previously observed during usage of kerosene as a lighting fuel have

gone down to almost zero after using solar light.

Suggestions

On the basis of general observation and interaction with the villagers, following are few

suggestions which might be of use to both TERI and BRLPS for the effective management of

system and can further help in positive outreach of SHS as a model –

Post – installation services needs to be more strengthened in terms of addressing complaints of

SHS users and rectifying faults on time.

Every user must have a user manual which should be read out and explained properly during

VO meetings. Majority of users have no idea about do’s and don’ts for system handling and that

panels need to be cleaned. Refresher training by a technician or trained personnel can be given

regarding the system handling and maintenance.

Two lighting points should be distributed to cover two different rooms or corners of the house.

Casing of lights has opening allowing insects to infest the system, gradually lowering the

visibility.

Few users did not have clarity regarding the payments method and complained regarding the

interest. This requires clear and transparent sharing of information on a same platform for ruling

out the possibility of blames made by users related to ambiguous payment instructions.


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Annexure1: Photograph of Solar Home lighting System

Impact Evaluation of JEEViKA - TERI & BREDA Energy Access Project at Gaya District of Bihar

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