Assessment of higher demand of household energy consumption in different households in India: an inter-comparative study and solar savings valuation.

ABSTRACT

The present work focuses on a detailed inter-comparative assessment of household energy consumption (HEC) patterns for different Indian households including their living style and pattern of using clean energy fuels. This assessment has been done for cooking, heating, cooling, and transportation patterns in different households. It has been observed that the monthly income, family size, and house location have a significant effect on the monthly HEC of a specific household. Besides the complete assessment of HEC, results of the present study also show the potential of solar energy applications through which rural poor households and lower-income households can save approximately $10.77 to $14.36 monthly while urban households can save $17.95 to $29.92 monthly. Rural side medium-income households can save about $10.77 to $14.36 in cooking and about $11.97 to $16.76 monthly in space heating, cooling, and lighting, while urban medium-income households can save about $17.95 to $29.92 monthly. Likely, rural high-income households or rich households can save about $11.97 to $16.76 in cooking, and about $17.95 to $29.92 monthly in space heating, cooling, and lighting while urban high-income households can save about $29.92 to $53.86 monthly. Rich households can save up to $23.94 in cooking, and up to $95.75 monthly in space heating, cooling, and lighting. A complete formulization of the theoretical assessment of HEC has been discussed in this study.