The programme was at a pilot stage, operating across two urban contexts with different constraints and enterprise profiles. While the intent was clear, many assumptions around adoption, usage, and enterprise impact had not yet been tested in real conditions.
Energy access was only one part of the challenge. Entrepreneurs were navigating irregular demand, limited working capital, and spatial constraints. It was not immediately clear how reliable energy would interact with these factors, or whether it would translate into meaningful livelihood gains.
The programme also involved multiple actors, including a technical partner, ecosystem enablers, and the entrepreneurs themselves. This created complexity in how solutions were selected, deployed, and supported. There was a need to understand how these systems were functioning in practice, and where they were falling short.
At this stage, the organisation required a grounded view of early outcomes, without over-attributing impact. The absence of long-term data made it necessary to rely on careful interpretation of early signals.
The review was designed to stay close to the stage of the programme. Instead of forcing outcome claims, the focus was on examining how the model was unfolding and where it was gaining or losing traction.
The starting point was a reconstruction of programme hypotheses. This included how decentralised energy was expected to influence enterprise continuity, reduce vulnerability to power disruptions, and improve working conditions. These hypotheses were then used as anchors for the assessment.
Field visits were undertaken in Bengaluru and Hubli-Dharwad, with deliberate attention to differences in enterprise types and local conditions. Time was spent with entrepreneurs in their workspaces, observing how energy systems were actually being used. This helped surface small but important details, such as changes in work timing, reduced physical strain, and shifts in daily routines.
Qualitative interviews formed the core of the engagement. Conversations were structured but open enough to capture lived experience. Particular attention was given to women-led enterprises, where changes in energy access had implications beyond productivity, including safety, comfort, and confidence. Midline data and programme records were reviewed alongside field insights. Rather than treating these as validation tools, they were used to identify where patterns were emerging and where further evidence would be required.
A MEL lens was applied to organise findings across economic, emotional, equity, and environmental dimensions. This allowed the team to capture a broader range of changes, especially those not immediately visible in income metrics.
Case studies were developed to illustrate how different enterprises were engaging with the technology. These were used to highlight variation in adoption and to identify conditions under which the model was working better.
The review clarified where the model was already showing traction and where it remained uncertain. Reliable energy was consistently linked to fewer work disruptions and more predictable daily operations. Entrepreneurs reported being able to plan their work with greater confidence, even when income effects were not yet visible.
Changes in work conditions were more immediate. Reduced dependence on unreliable grid power lowered stress and physical effort, particularly in enterprises with long or irregular working hours. Among women-led enterprises, there were early signs of improved comfort and a greater sense of control over workspaces.
The assessment also pointed to clear constraints. Adoption was stronger where the technology was simple to use and required minimal maintenance. Where financing, servicing, or ecosystem linkages were unclear, uptake was slower.
A set of focused recommendations was outlined. These included strengthening last-mile support systems, building financing pathways, and refining criteria for enterprise selection. The work provided the programme team with a sharper view of what needed to stabilise before scale, and what could be carried forward with confidence.
