Distributed solar photovoltaics landscape in Uttar Pradesh, India: Lessons for transition to decentralised rural electrification

The energy poverty cycle continues to pose a major challenge for governments in emerging economies. Electrification has typically been delivered through centralised generation and distribution that has not always afforded equitable or efficient access. Decentralised solar technologies are fast approaching financial parity and have certain environmental advantages over grid extension, especially in rural and remote societies. We explore the emergence of decentralised energy systems in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India's most populated state with notable energy access and equity challenges. We suggest future electrification policies and strategies should be based on the principles of diversity in technology use, localised implementation and centralised planning and enforcement to address energy poverty conundrum in the state of Uttar Pradesh or similar economies.