In Asia, about 799 million people live without access to electricity. Approximately 85% of those people live in rural areas [22]. The rural banking system plays a significant role to finance sustainable energy systems for poor rural households.
People can take a microfinance loan from a bank or microfinance institute, nongovernmental organization (NGO) or social enterprise in return for payments spread over an agreed period and buy the solar system directly [23, 24]. In addition, credit facilities to customers are also provided by Commercial Banks, National Banks, Cooperative Banks, etc. But not everyone has access to banking or microfinance. Although such financing is designed to help poor people, the terms can still be impossible to meet for the very poor. Innovative finance mechanism based on local practices may be desirable.
