Health Impact of Using Solar Panels: Experience from Island Communities in Bangladesh

Abstract

Renewable energy is one of the most efficient and effective solutions to the environmental pollution problem in Bangladesh. Solar energy has high potential in rural island areas. The study aims to find solar energy’s impact on health by examining whether there is a difference in health costs before and after installing solar panels in rural Bangladesh. Primary data were collected randomly from 300 sample respondents by questionnaire survey method in the study area. Stratified sampling method was used to collect data for analysis. Sample paired t-test and a binary logistic regression model were used here as statistical tools for analyzing data exploring the environmental impact of solar energy on the health of the sample respondents. The results show that the respondents’ health costs, both in total and item-wise, were reduced to a great extent after using solar energy. Although the above study results might help the stakeholders understand the positive impact of using solar energy on human health, particularly in the off-grid areas and the environment as a whole in Bangladesh.