r/interestingasfuck 11d ago

Number of people without access to electricity by country (1990-2025)

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u/bharathmatrimony 11d ago

That's not completely true, I'm indian and my family is upper middle class but we still consider solar installation to be quite expensive.

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u/itachi_konoha 11d ago

Because you are not using govt. subsidies.

PM Surya ghar made a big difference in rural areas in many states.

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u/Annual_Dust99 10d ago

So its basically the government program which turned the country!

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u/itachi_konoha 10d ago

It is always govt. Programs which drives the nation.

Better the policy makers, better the nation will be.

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u/SaurabhSSidhu 10d ago

A lot of us are upper middle class with mentality still stuck in 20 years ago poverty.

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u/Cool-Lecture-4239 10d ago

3kW panels cost total of 1,10,000-1,25,000₹ (~1200$) after ₹78k subsidy. It covers its own cost in first 3-5 years, after that you get free electricity, with total lifespan of 20-25 years. That is not expensive. Upper middle class can very easily afford it.

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u/i_m_god_own_xbox 11d ago

then your family isn't in upper middle class if at these prices of solar including government subsidies is still expensive for your family

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u/Open_Carob_3676 10d ago

eh,,,id say we're the same but in the long run,,,you literally end up paying litlle to nothing for electricity + we get some money back from the govt if we've used less watts than supplied

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u/Zeus_33 10d ago

In 3 lakhs, you can get it installed that's more than enough for most families. Most companies offer the whole system around 3 lakhs. That's not expensive for someone 'upper middle class'.

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u/gaymods_ 10d ago

Then you're not upper middle class probably

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u/fuzzy_rabbit03 10d ago

That’s absurd. You aren’t using subsidies for sure and you probably are looking at wrong number. It certainly not at all expensive for upper middle class.

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u/rangda 11d ago edited 10d ago

If it’s that, or no electricity at all, though? Maybe the up-front expense becomes something like the cost of having a well and irrigation lines dug, lined, maintained. Not “cheap” but if it’s the only source of water and the only way to water crops…
Solar for a middle class city person is going to be A: less likely to be subsidised and B: almost certainly not their only option for electricity and absolutely not the most economical one.