AN EVALUATION ON THE SOCIO ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS OF SOLAR LIGHTING USERS TO DETERMINE THE MARKET SEGMENT FOR SOLAR PRODUCTS AS A BASIS FOR EXPANSION

A PAPER ON DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS

Submitted to; Dean Agnes Rola In fulfillment of the requirements for PAF 203 2nd sem 2011-2012 University of the Philippines College of Public Affairs

CLARISSA M. DIMACULANGAN March, 2012

I. Introduction In the Philippines, until today, some remote parts of the country do not have access to electricity. According to DOE, twenty two percent (22%) in the Philippines as of the moment is still unelectrified (Table 1). This can be attributed to scattered areas in the Philippines, thereby leaving the remote areas with no plan for electrification. CARD BDSFI is currently distributing renewable energy products, specifically solar lighting, to far flung communities, those areas which are not covered by electrical installations or in regions with electricity shortage. With the distribution of solar lighting products, it is important to note the socio economic characteristics of those who have availed the products so as to identify or determine the market segment for solar products as a basis for expansion. Table 1. Unelectrified areas in the Philippines, December 2011
ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES HOUSEHOLDS % access HH without access

I (ILOCOS REGION) II (CAGAYAN VALLEY) CAR (CORDILLERA ADMINISTRATIVE REGION) III (CENTRAL LUZON) IV-A (CALABARZON) IV-B (MIMAROPA) V (BICOL REGION)

844,300 660,700 315,200 1,128,600 641,900 546,500 1,006,100

88% 82% 78% 90% 87% 65% 73% 82% 70% 71% 72% 71% 59% 77% 59% 51% 26% 83% 58%

101,316 118,926 69,344 112,860 83,447 191,275 271,647 925,794 383,370 275,964 220,976 875,423 251,945 137,655 216,439 367,451 407,222 78,268 1,470,630

TOTAL LUZON
VI (WESTERN VISAYAS) VII (CENTRAL VISAYAS) VIII (EASTERN VISAYAS)

5,143,300 1,277,900 951,600