Village development framework through self-help-group entrepreneurship, microcredit, and anchor customers in solar microgrids for cooperative sustainable rural societies

• Published in: Journal of rural studies Vol. 88; pp. 432 - 440
• Main Authors: Robert, Fabien Chidanand, Frey, L.M., Sisodia, Gyanendra Singh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elmsford Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2021; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Academic achievement; Campaigns; Consumers; Cooperation; Cost analysis; Customers; Distributed generation; Electricity; Electrification; Entrepreneurship; Households; Interdisciplinary aspects; Microfinance; Microfinancing; Microgrid; Policy making; Poverty; Psychological distress; Rural areas; Rural communities; Rural development; Rural electrification; Rural poverty; Schools; Self help; Self-help-group; Social groups; Support groups; Sustainability; Sustainable development; Sustainable livelihood; Towers; Villages; Workshops; Rural development; Self-help-group; Rural electrification; Microgrid; Sustainable development; Microfinancing
• ISSN: 0743-0167; 1873-1392
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrurstud.2021.07.013

In these times of distress, self-reliant villages and sustainable development are more crucial than ever. Support is much needed to uplift durably impoverished communities. Rural electrification has been recognized as playing a key role in helping poverty-stricken rural regions to develop sustainable livelihoods. Yet, despite several plans initiated by governments, rural electrification alone has fallen short in providing sustainable solutions for the development of rural areas. In this paper, a multidisciplinary approach is prescribed. A framework to achieve sustainable development is presented where microfinancing, social cooperation, and Self-Help-Groups, stimulate entrepreneurship, and where cost effective solar + battery electricity solutions support local initiatives. Microgrid simulations based on field data show in what proportion autonomous microgrids are more cost effective when rural businesses, workshops, schools, or GSM towers, (i.e. anchor customers) complement households’ loads. Experience shows that this is also a critical factor of sustainability. Therefore, rural development and electrification campaigns would benefit from the cooperative association among anchor customers, Self-Help-Groups, and microfinancing. These findings can support policy makers, government, and regulators for the development of successful rural electrification campaigns. •Electricity and productive end-use are critical for sustainable development.•Affordability and reliability of electrical supply do not guarantee sustainability.•A multi-disciplinary village development framework is proposed.•Self-Help-Groups and micro-financing lead to successful entrepreneurship.•Field data show that anchor customers help achieving low-cost electricity. Anchor customers: customers such as rural businesses, workshops, schools, GSM towers, etc., that consume electricity throughout the day and pay their bills regularly.