Muhammad Shayan

Fellowship Year: 
2025
Degree: 
PhD
Research Country: 
Pakistan
Research Continent: 
Asia
Abstract: 

My research examines household energy transitions in Pakistan at a pivotal moment, as the Global South undergoes rapid shifts in its energy landscape. Unreliable grid electricity, rising tariffs, and declining battery and solar photovoltaic (PV) prices have driven a surge in renewable energy adoption, with households increasingly combining multiple electricity sources in diverse configurations. This study will model how households optimize these configurations over time and across locations as a function of electricity service demand, moving beyond binary transition models. By integrating household survey data with econometric modeling, this research will identify the factors driving optimal or suboptimal configurations (e.g., oversized systems) and estimate the economic value of social capital in improving household decision-making. This research will provide policy insights for promoting efficient and equitable energy access by developing interdisciplinary solutions that address both the technical and socioeconomic aspects of energy transitions.