Green Gown Awards 2015 – Community Innovation - De Montfort University - Winner

OASYS South Asia - solar energy providing opportunities to off-grid rural communities

The project undertook demonstrations of off-grid options using solar PV-based mini/ micro grid systems at four locations in India.

It provided access to basic lighting and mobile phone charging facilities as well as supporting use of electricity for productive, educational, and social purposes (street lighting, community halls etc.).

These pilot projects have directly impacted about 5000 households and reduced their dependence on kerosene and hence reduced the environmental impacts and accident risks; offered opportunities to study at night; created a better sense of protection at night where street lights have been placed; and empowered the communities through better information flow and newer opportunities for income generation.

Top 3 learnings

1 awareness generation about the electricity access issue in the developing world

2 feeding into the public good agenda of De Montfort University

3 providing further teaching and research opportunities - student projects, doctoral research and other research projects.

Videos

• OASYS South Asia - solar energy providing opportunities to off-grid rural communities (click to hide)