Decentralized solar microgrids offer a promising pathway toward equitable and climate-resilient energy systems in rural India. Drawing inspiration from Bangladesh’s successful implementation of solar home systems—where individual households are equipped with rooftop solar panels and connected through small-scale electricity-sharing networks—this model reimagines energy access as a locally managed, sustainable infrastructure. In the Indian context, where millions still lack reliable power and many rural areas remain underserved by the central grid, such a bottom-up approach could simultaneously address development needs and climate mitigation goals.
This project explores the viability and impact of adopting community-driven solar microgrids across low-access, high-solar-potential regions of India. Through geospatial analysis and data visualization, it aims to identify key regions suited for decentralized solar adoption and estimate potential benefits, including emission reductions, energy resilience, and improvements in local livelihoods. Beyond technical feasibility, the study emphasizes the importance of community ownership, decentralized governance, and the integration of local knowledge in shaping sustainable energy futures. By reframing rural electrification as a climate solution rooted in empowerment rather than dependency, this work contributes to a broader vision of climate justice and participatory transformation.