Assessing Markets for Renewable Energy in Rural Areas of Northwestern China

The main objective of this study was to determine the market potential for photo-voltaic systems in the remote areas of China, particularly in villages without access to grid electricity. A number of photo-voltaic systems have been sold in the remote provinces, but the size and nature of this market was not well understood. The study produced data that addresses several needs: it yielded an estimate of the size of the potential market for photo-voltaic systems in four Chinese provinces; provided important information on the characteristics, ability to pay, and preferences of potential customers; detailed positive, and negative experiences with existing photo-voltaic systems; and, developed recommendations to increase the penetration of photo-voltaic systems in rural China, as part of the upcoming China Renewable Energy Development Project. The main conclusion of the report is that there is significant desire by households in remote areas, for electricity, and that there is significant potential market demand for photo-voltaic systems