“Battle for Solar Energy” Program: An Environment-Friendly Sustainable Approach for Carbon Neutrality in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The environmental impact of energy supply is growing which has a significant impact on regional and global environmental issues. As a solution for this, both developed and developing nations paying attention to convert their energy productivity by using renewable energy like wind and solar energy. Sri Lankan government also aims to obtain the full amount of electricity required from local renewable sources by the year 2050 under the project called “sooryabala sangramaya” (the battle for solar energy). Currently, Sri Lanka’s power generation sector is heavily dependent on imported fuels, such as petroleum and coal, resulting in growing detrimental impacts on the country’s sustainable socioeconomic development. With the growing market of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, Sri Lanka is turning its attention towards generating the total amount of electricity required from solar power by promoting the installation of arrays of PV panels on the rooftops of households, religious places, hotels, commercial establishments and industries. It also aims to deploy solar PV for sustainable rural development, mainly focused on uplifting people living in remote areas in the country. This chapter discusses how Sri Lanka has initiated a rooftop solar PV adoption program to lessen imported fuels’ socioeconomic and environmental impacts. Moreover, this case demonstrates that the adoption of rooftop solar PV brings many socioeconomic benefits to its consumers.

Citation

Hemakumara, G.P.T.S., Athukorala, S.U. and Yapa, L.G.D.S. (2023), "“Battle for Solar Energy” Program: An Environment-Friendly Sustainable Approach for Carbon Neutrality in Sri Lanka", Quoquab, F. and Mohammad, J. (Ed.) Sustainability and Social Marketing Issues in Asia, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 23-38. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-845-620231002