A review on renewable energy awareness and usages patterns in semi urban areas of Ravangla, Sikkim

Abstract: This paper explores how residents of Ravangla, a semi-urban town in Sikkim, perceive and use renewable energy. Drawing from in-person surveys and community observations, it was found that many people have encountered solar lanterns and water heaters, mainly due to government support or word of mouth, but deeper technical knowledge is rare. Households often rely on these renewables as backup sources during frequent power outages, rather than as their main source of power. While government schemes and local examples can spark interest, obstacles remain: high initial costs, limited product choices in the market, and lack of nearby maintenance support deter widespread adoption. Some confusion persists about what truly counts as renewable energy, with products like LED bulbs or even diesel generators occasionally misidentified. Residents indicate that hands-on demonstrations and training in local languages would help bridge the knowledge gap. The study suggests local entrepreneurs could be trained to provide maintenance and promote awareness. Aligning clean energy products with the community’s daily needs—such as solar-powered tools for small businesses or agriculture—may drive higher adoption. Ultimately, the region’s journey offers lessons for similar towns, highlighting the value of locally led efforts and practical education over top-down campaigns

Background and Rationale

India has set progressive renewable energy targets as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC), seeking to reach 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030. Si,kkim, as a hilly Northeastern state, stands out for its existing reliance on renewable sources—mainly hydro—but is also challenged by weather, terrain, and limitations in grid extension, making off-grid solar and other distributed renewables especially relevant. According to the Sikkim Renewable Energy Development Agency (SREDA), solar potential remains high though actual adoption rates still lag, particularly in semi-urban and rural regions.