Introduction onlineRural energy is and continues to be primarily solar energy, available through photosynthetic conversion of crops (food and fodder), fuelwood, animal dung and agricultural residues. Over 80% of rural energy in the developing countries is derived from wood and animal wastes, and is primarily used for cooking and agriculture. Most of the energy used is non-commercial and produced by people themselves to meet their own needs. Rural energy, in other words, is not a commodity exchanged through a market, but a use value. Recognition of this characteristic is central to the task of rural energy planning and assessment.
By Yehia ElMahgary and Asit K. Biswas, Chapter of the book: Integrated Rural Energy Planning, edited by Yehia ElMahgary and Asit K. Biswas, 1985, Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, pages 1-7. DOI: 10.1016/B978-0-408-22166-5.50005-X