Case Studies on Low Emission Development

This case study describes the 'Lighting a Billion Lives' (LaBL) initiative by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), which aims to replace kerosene-based lighting with solar alternatives in un-electrified or poorly electrified rural areas through an entrepreneurial delivery model.

• The Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL) initiative uses an entrepreneurial model to provide solar lighting to rural communities, reaching approximately 500,000 people across 1,860 villages in 22 Indian states. The model relies on local entrepreneurs trained by TERI to manage micro solar-enterprises that provide clean energy access for an affordable fee.
• LaBL utilizes two primary financial models for energy delivery: a fee-for-service model, where users pay a nominal daily rent and capital costs are largely grant-supported, and a loan finance model, which allows operators to establish their own businesses through financial institution loans and subsidies from TERI or partner agencies.
• The initiative employs two main technical configurations: Solar Charging Stations, which typically include 50 lanterns and 5 solar panels to provide 200-250 lumens of light for 4-6 hours daily; and Solar DC Micro Grids, which use modular photovoltaic panels and battery banks to distribute low voltage electricity to clusters of 20 to 100 households or shops for 4 hours each night.
• To ensure sustainability and after-sales support, TERI established 'Energy Enterprises' (also known as Uttam Urja Shops). These local enterprises provide maintenance for solar charging stations and sell approved clean energy products like solar lights and improved cookstoves. The UK's Department for International Development (DFID) is supporting the creation of over 400 such enterprises in India.
• LaBL has expanded its delivery model through public-private-people partnerships to integrate additional services, such as mobile phone charging with the Department of Telecommunication, solar lighting for residential schools via the Universal Primary Education program, and vocational training for women in partnership with Uninor, Mawana Sugars, and Usha International.

APA

Climate and Development Knowledge Network (2013). Case Studies on Low Emission Development. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Asia-LEDS-Partnership-Casestudy-Lighting-a-billion-lives-in-India.pdf

Chicago

Climate and Development Knowledge Network. Case Studies on Low Emission Development. 2013. https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Asia-LEDS-Partnership-Casestudy-Lighting-a-billion-lives-in-India.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate and Development Knowledge Network |title=Case Studies on Low Emission Development |date=February 2013 |url=https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Asia-LEDS-Partnership-Casestudy-Lighting-a-billion-lives-in-India.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climateanddevelopmentknowledgenetwork2013case, author = {{Climate and Development Knowledge Network}}, title = {{Case Studies on Low Emission Development}}, institution = {Climate and Development Knowledge Network}, year = {2013}, month = feb, url = {https://cdkn.org/sites/default/files/files/Asia-LEDS-Partnership-Casestudy-Lighting-a-billion-lives-in-India.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }