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The analysis evaluates the economic rate of return (ERR) for solar photovoltaic, small hydropower, and wind energy across three Indian states, incorporating health, water, land, and climate impacts against a coal baseline. It finds that most assessed technologies justify public investment based on an 8 percent social discount rate, with the highest returns occurring in Maharashtra.

The project targeted the use of non-transparent spatial planning to legalize construction in protected areas, particularly problematic small hydropower plants. While the team successfully pressured decision-makers to abandon one large-scale facility, two other cases of illegal planning continued. Key lessons included the need for more extensive capacity building for local organizations and the importance of engaging professional public officials to prevent corruption before decisions become irrevocable.