Energy-microfinance intervention for below poverty line households in India

Rao, P. Sharath Chandra; Miller, Jeffrey B.; Wang, Young Doo; Byrne, John

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2008.12.039

Cited by 80 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Therefore, instead of an upfront investment model, companies have adopted a model that enables their customers to pay small amounts on a weekly basis. Selco, a company based in Southern India that sells photovoltaic cells to the BOP, works with micro financing agencies and offers its customers a flexible payment model that fits their cash flow stream (Rao et al 2009;Sharma 2010).…”

Section: Affordabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Frugal Innovation in Healthcare

Ramdorai

Herstatt

2015

India Studies in Business and Economics

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Section: Affordabilitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Frugal Innovation in Healthcare

Ramdorai

Herstatt

2015

India Studies in Business and Economics

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“…Umree et al, 2008Umree et al, , 2009, and the Indian subcontinent (e.g. Biswas et al, 2001;Chakrabarti and Chakrabarti, 2002;Rao et al, 2009;Sharma, 2007). However, they have focused on concrete (technical) issues, usually taking a more macro-economic and/or policy-oriented approach, including the identification of success factors and the implications for (donor) investment policies in terms of delivery and financing mechanisms.…”

Section: Financing and Delivery Models For Renewable Energy Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In this context, micro-financing is sometimes mentioned as a possibility (#18). While this instrument in general has not been without criticism, a debate beyond the scope of this article, 2 several authors adjusted it to the energy context to support both RET supply and demand (Mohiuddin, 2006;O'Brien et al, 2007;Rao et al, 2009). Rao et al (2009) most specifically proposed an 'energy-microfinance framework' to pool energy expertise and financial management skills.…”

Section: Financing and Delivery Models For Renewable Energy Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While this instrument in general has not been without criticism, a debate beyond the scope of this article, 2 several authors adjusted it to the energy context to support both RET supply and demand (Mohiuddin, 2006;O'Brien et al, 2007;Rao et al, 2009). Rao et al (2009) most specifically proposed an 'energy-microfinance framework' to pool energy expertise and financial management skills. Figure 1 also contains fee-for-service models (#4, #5 and #6), in which a national utility or energy service company owns, finances and maintains the installation, and is responsible for maintenance while periodically charging a fee to households based on usage.…”

Section: Financing and Delivery Models For Renewable Energy Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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In search of viable business models for development: sustainable energy in developing countries

Kolk

Buuse

2012

Corporate Governance

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Purpose -Although the crucial role of business, and of business-based approaches, in development is increasingly emphasised by academics and practitioners, we lack insight into the 'whether and how' of viable business models, in environmental, social and economical terms. This article analyses private-sector involvement in development, including a business perspective of firm-level factors, taking the case of sustainable energy in developing countries. Design/methodology/approach -In the framework of the international business and development debate, we examine the 'state of the art' on sustainable energy and business involvement, and present our own research on illustrative cases from local companies involved in renewable, off-grid rural electrification. Implications are discussed, viewed from the broader perspective of business models. Findings -Existing studies on sustainable energy take macro-economic and/or policy-oriented approaches, containing specific case studies of rural electrification and/or recommended financing/delivery models. We categorize them on two dimensions (levels of subsidies and public/private involvement) and conclude that market-based models operating without subsidies do hardly exist in theory -and also not in practice, as our study shows that companies can at best have part of their portfolio non-subsidized based on customer segmentation or require socially-oriented investors/funders. Research limitations/applications -This exploratory study can be a starting point for further indepth analyses. Practical implications -The article outlines challenges faced by companies/entrepreneurs when aiming for viable business models, and provides insights to policy-makers who want to further the role of business in sustainable (energy) development. Societal implications -Sustainable energy and development are crucial and interlinked issues highly relevant to global society, as exemplified by the UN year of Sustainable Energy for All and Rio+20. Originality/value -The article contributes new dimensions and perspectives that have been left unexplored, and that are crucial for reducing poverty and stimulating sustainable (energy) development. Keywords -access to energy; business models; developing countries; electricity; off-grid; poverty; renewables; rural electrification; sustainable development; sustainable energy ACKNOWLEDGEMENT This article is one of the publications resulting from a longer-term research programme on business and development, and on partnerships. A part of the latter line of research (related to partnerships for sustainable development) has been carried out together with the Partnerships Resource Centre (see Pinkse, 2010a, 2010b;Van den Buuse et al., 2012).

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“…This has played as input for a number of international cooperation interventions and initiatives, as well as for energy policies at a regional and national scale, often not focused on the specific needs of the real population, but more oriented towards modernity or innovation [8,9]. This has often resulted in the promotion of inappropriate technologies or unaffordable modern fuels [10][11][12][13], proposed without taking into account the socio-economic patterns and the habits/preferences of the beneficiary target population that will actually have to use the new household energy technology [14][15][16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Socio-Economic Survey as a Support Tool during the Scaling Up of Improved Stoves in the Logone Valley (Chad/Cameroon)

Vitali

Vaccari

2014

Sustainability

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Abstract:Field assessment plays a key role in the evaluation of the energy access modalities and of the socio-economic features that may influence the beneficiaries' choices and preferences in the adoption and use of an energy technology. This work presents the findings of a survey conducted during the implementation of a cooperation project in the Logone Valley (Chad/Cameroon). After an initial period of promotion of an improved cookstove (ICS), a survey was conducted that was aimed at identifying different beneficiary groups, matching their preferences and cooking habits to the technology proposed, in order to best tailor the scaling-up strategy. In-depth analysis of the data gathered identified two household-user behaviors and the relative influencing features: in the urban area, the increased adoption rates confirmed the appropriateness of the technology proposed and its sustainability, whereas in the rural area, ICS use was not perceived by the final users as advantageous and lower adoption rates were observed. Thus, due to the outcome of the survey, the project action was re-oriented in order to achieve a higher impact on the territory and on the population.

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Energy-microfinance intervention for below poverty line households in India

Cited by 80 publications

References 7 publications

Frugal Innovation in Healthcare

Frugal Innovation in Healthcare

In search of viable business models for development: sustainable energy in developing countries

Socio-Economic Survey as a Support Tool during the Scaling Up of Improved Stoves in the Logone Valley (Chad/Cameroon)

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