In the last decade India has seen an increase in the adoption of solar energy‐based technologies by consumers, which has been supported by various government efforts and policies. The rural areas and low‐income households that lack a proper electricity supply have emerged as a market for solar off‐grid technologies, with private developers increasing their market base slowly in this group. This has promulgated the need to restructure the decentralized energy sector. Existing literature points out the suitability of solar off‐grid in such markets; the present study investigates the challenges that have hindered its growth. The study reviews the concept of poverty with respect to the energy sector and analyzes methods of determining poor energy access in the present scenario. It emphasizes the need to understand and reconceptualize policy instruments in order to make solar off‐grid a powerful tool in tackling energy demand and providing adequate energy access. It further explores the causes of energy disconnects and how grid‐independent solar energy is a technological solution of utmost relevance and in consonance with the idea of sustainable development. For a successful venture, both consumer behavior and marketer objectives are important determinants. The work also provides insights into various models, tools, factors, and social constructs that affect consumer perception and subsequently demand. Over the course of the study, it has been revealed how private players and entrepreneurs are tapping the wrong solar market, leading to misappropriation of solar energy technologies. The suggested improvements and recommendations of the present study from the analysis can serve as a guide for policy makers, technological innovators, and financial stakeholders. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:364–375. © 2020 SETAC

中文翻译：

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印度偏远社区可持续的独立于电网的可再生能源接入回顾

在过去十年中，印度消费者对太阳能技术的采用有所增加，这得到了政府各种努力和政策的支持。缺乏适当电力供应的农村地区和低收入家庭已成为太阳能离网技术的市场，私人开发商在这一群体中的市场基础缓慢增加。这表明需要重组分散的能源部门。现有文献指出太阳能离网在此类市场中的适用性；本研究调查了阻碍其发展的挑战。该研究回顾了与能源部门有关的贫困概念，并分析了在当前情景下确定能源供应不足的方法。它强调需要理解和重新概念化政策工具，以使太阳能离网成为解决能源需求和提供充足能源供应的有力工具。它进一步探讨了能源断开的原因，以及独立于电网的太阳能如何成为最相关并与可持续发展理念相一致的技术解决方案。对于成功的企业来说，消费者行为和营销目标都是重要的决定因素。这项工作还提供了对影响消费者感知和随后需求的各种模型、工具、因素和社会结构的见解。在研究过程中，揭示了私营企业和企业家如何利用错误的太阳能市场，导致太阳能技术被盗用。2021 年整合环境评估管理；17：364–375。© 2020 SETAC