Assessing the socio-economic viability of solar commercialization and electrification in south Asian countries

Solar power is a promising alternative energy source for a sustainable environment for developing countries in the Asian continent. The assessment of its sustainability particularly in the South Asian countries necessitates a complete and rigorous statistical investigation. In the current study, we investigate solar energy profile and potential in Pakistan’s Sindh province as a case study. Although the electrification of Sindh Province using off-grid solar PV systems is relatively easy and also most convenient, the challenge is to measure the province’s capacity of solar power and its economic viability. Results show that the rural areas of Pakistan have sufficient solar irradiance in order to produce power. The suitable inclination angles of solar power modules contain the significant capacity of solar power for electricity production. Finding regarding economic viability shows that an off-grid solar photovoltaic system ensures the electricity at price of PKR 6.87/kWh while this is cheap source of energy as compared to traditional energy source (about 20.79 PKR /kWh). Furthermore, the system of off-grid solar photovoltaic could reduce, 119,000 metric tons of CO2 per year simultaneously it ensure the all remote rural areas implement the off-grid solar energy system. The study provides a useful renewable roadmap for energy in South Asian countries and those presently captivating distant and off-grid regions.