In the remote communities of India, government policies have allowed for an increase in the share of solar energy-based technologies used by consumers, making the low-income households in these areas an emerging market for decentralized energy distribution. Despite the policies and involvement of both public and private energy developers, this market has not seen significant expansion in the last decade. Development is plagued by improper promotion strategies, incoherent financial models, and unpredictable markets. These missteps have fostered a negative perception of the technologies, which has a direct effect on low-income households and their ability to purchase renewable energy, impeding expansion of the energy sector. Decentralized solar energy technologies can serve as a major energy provider, but energy market developers have been tapping the wrong energy markets, leading to misappropriation of such technologies. This article explores the concept of energy poverty, with emphasis on solar energy markets and their potential to address the energy crisis in remote communities. It reviews the challenges and opportunities in this sector and suggests methods to accelerate their development.
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