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Rural Lighting with SPV Systems: Sri Lankan Experience and A Strategy for Development D.G.D.C.Wijeratne P.O. Box 540, Colombo, Sri Lanka Abstract Prospects of extending the grid to remote rural areas are rather dim because of the high cost. Solar home systems (SHSs) can provide the basic electricity needs for lighting and small appliances in such areas in a cost-effective manner. After 15 years of marketing, however, only about 5,000 systems have been installed in Sri Lanka though the market is estimated at 350,000. Analysis of the experience shows that the major constraints for SHS dissemination are of an institutional, financial and technical nature. The paper suggests a development strategy to overcome these barriers. The key elements of the strategy include: Incorporation SHS in the Government's Rural Electrification (RE) Program; Setting up an institutional structure where the roles of the key players are clearly defined; Establishing a fund to provide low cost financing for SHS development. Back to Right Light Proceedings startpage Top of page