Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-2, Issue-4, 2016
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in
A Study on Awareness and Usage of
Solar Products among Women
Graduates – An Empirical Study
Dr. M. Nagamani1 & B. Navaneetha2
1
Associate Professor, Department of Commerce, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women,
Coimbatore
2
Research Scholar, Department of Commerce, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women,
Coimbatore
Abstract: Solar energy is the most readily available
source of energy. It is a significant sustainable
clean and green source of energy, which can help
in reducing greenhouse gas emission leading to
sustainable development. Solar energy devices are
launched mainly with the objective to create
environmental awareness of mass power
consumption and the need to conserve power using
solar energy devices like Solar Photovoltaic
systems and other devices – such as street lights,
garden lights, corridor lights, bill boards, rooftop
systems etc. There is significant scope for direct
energy saving as well as energy generation through
the installation of solar water heating and other
renewable energy technologies. The main
drawback of solar products is price. Hence the
study examines the awareness and usage of solar
products among women graduates.
Key Words: Solar energy, solar thermal,
Photovoltaic
Introduction
Solar energy is the instant source of
energy. Three of the fastest growing sun based
technologies are solar thermal, concentrating solar
power (CSP) and photovoltaic. This solar energy
can be used in many ways, such as domestic
lighting/ heating/cooking, street light, electricity
/power generation, water pumping, powering of
remote telecommunication etc.,. Solar products are
available in the market for using both domestically
and industrially.
Statement of the problem
In the present scenario, the world is
dominated by the Electrical Energy and the
Electronic devices. The technological improvement
in this field is vast and it plays a vital role in day to
day lives of people. Solar energy being a renewable
Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
energy available in abundance as the natural source
sun emits Photovoltaic energy in the sun rays. Solar
cells/ panels used to grasp solar energy and
converts into electrical energy for usage. Many
companies have come in to the market in the
commercial sales of solar energy based devices. In
this view the study has been undertaken to find the
awareness and usage of solar products among
women graduates.
Objectives of the study
1. To know the awareness of solar products
among women graduates.
2. To understand the usage of solar
products among women graduates.
3. To know the reasons for choosing solar
products.
Review of Literature
Dr. M. Venkatraman and U. Sheeba
(2014)1 in their study on “Customer’s Attitude
towards Solar Energy Devices” have studied the
awareness of the solar energy devices and the
ideas, preferences and attitude among respondents.
They also examined customer’s satisfaction and
customer opinion regarding CRM practices of
Manufacturers of solar energy devices. Customer’s
attitude towards solar energy devices is definitely
changing and there has been a significant increase
in the awareness and benefits of using solar
energized devices over electrical devices and also
increases the consumer’s responsibility towards the
environment and eco-friendliness.
Anupamaa S chavan and Dr. Madhav N
Welling (2013)2 “Assessing the Awareness of
Government Subsidy for Solar Water Heaters
among people of Mumbai (India)”. In their study
Page 650
Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-2, Issue-4, 2016
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

they have examined the significance of Table 3: Educational qualification

Government subsidy on the use of Solar Water No. Percentage
Heaters. Other factors which might influence the Degree 28 56.0
use of solar water heaters such as product Diploma 7 14.0
availability, after sale service, credit facility are not Post-Graduation 11 22.0
considered. Their study concluded that everyone in Professional 4 8.0
Mumbai is not aware of Government
Total 50 100.0
Subsidies/Incentives and they recommended that
Majority (56%) of the respondents are degree
the manufacturers should spread awareness
holders, 22% of them are post graduates, 14% of
regarding the availability of Government
them are diploma holders and 8% of them are
Subsidy/Incentives.
professionals. Hence, majority of the
respondents are degree holders.
Methodology

This study is based on Primary data Table 4: Nature of family

collected from 50 respondents by means of a No. Percentage
structured questionnaire. Random sampling Joint family 16 32.0
technique was applied and statistical tools like Nuclear family 34 68.0
Percentage Analysis and Chi-Square were Total 50 100.0
carried out to analyze the data and draw 68% of the respondents belong to nuclear family
interpretation. and 32% of them belong to joint family. Hence,
majority of the respondents belong to nuclear
Analysis and Interpretation family.
Table 1: Age of the respondents
No. Percentage Table 5: Family monthly income
20 to 25 years 2 4.0 No. Percentage
26 to 30 years 4 8.0 Less than Rs.30,000 11 22.0
31 to 35 years 11 22.0 Rs.30,000 to Rs.40,000 37 74.0
36 to 40 years 22 44.0 Rs.40,000 to Rs.50,000 2 4.0
Above 40 years 11 22.0 Total 50 100.0
Total 50 100.0 Majority (74%) of the respondents have a family
Majority (44%) of the respondents belong to the monthly income of Rs.30,000 to Rs.40,000, 22% of
age group of 36 – 40 years and 22% of the them have a family monthly income of less than
respondents belong to the age group of 31 – 35 Rs. 30,000 and 4% of them have Rs.40,000 to
years and 22% of them are above 40 years and 8% Rs.50,000 as their monthly income. Hence,
of them belong to 26 – 30 years and 4% of them majority of the respondents have a family
belong to 20 to 25 years of age. Hence, majority monthly income of Rs.30, 000 to Rs.40, 000.
of the respondents are in the age group of 36 –
40 years. Table 6: Awareness about solar products
No. Percentage
Table 2: Marital status Yes 50 100.0
No. Percentage No 0 0
Married 7 14.0 Total 50 100.0
Unmarried 43 86.0
Total 50 100.0 100% of the respondents are aware about solar
86% of the respondents are unmarried and 14% of products.
them are married. Hence, majority of the
respondents are married.

Table 7: Awareness about the type of solar product

No. Percentage
Solar water heater 4 8.0
Solar water heater, solar Street light, solar fan light 32 64.0
Solar water heater, street light, solar calculator, solar charger 14 28.0
Total 50 100.0

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-2, Issue-4, 2016
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

64% of the respondents are aware about solar water Table 11: Factors influenced to buy solar
heater, solar street light and solar fan light, 28% of products
them are aware about solar water heater, street Factors No. Percentage
light, solar calculator and solar charger and 8% of Price 1 2.0
them are aware of solar water heater only. Hence, Quality 1 2.0
majority of the respondents are aware about Safety 2 4.0
solar water heater, solar street light and solar Pollution free 5 10.0
fan light. Environmental friendly 3 6.0
Social responsibility 1 2.0
Table 8: Source of awareness about solar Low electricity bill 37 74.0
products Total 50 100.0
No. Percentage
Family 3 6.0 74% of the respondents have said they buy solar
Friends 17 34.0 products for low electricity bill, 10% of them buy
Relatives 6 12.0 solar products since they are pollution free, 6% of
Colleagues 5 10.0 the respondents buy them sine they are
TV/radio 4 8.0 environment friendly, 4% of them said it is safe
Newspaper 15 30.0 and 2% of them have been influenced by their
Total 50 100.0 social responsibility. 2% of them have bought them
34% of the respondents are aware about the solar for their quality and price. Hence majority of the
products through their friends, 30% of them are respondents buy solar products for low
aware through newspaper, 12% of them through electricity bill.
their relatives, 10% of them through their Table 12: Willingness to purchase solar
colleagues, 8% of them through TV/radio and 6% products
of them are aware through their family. Hence, Willingness No. Percentage
majority of the respondents are aware about Yes 50 100.0
solar products through their friends. No 0 0
Total 50 100.0
Table 9: Duration and usage of solar products
No. Percentage 100% of the respondents are willing to purchase
Less than one year 9 18.0 solar products in future.
1 year to 2 years 16 32.0 Table 13: Satisfaction about solar products
2 years to 3 years 19 38.0 Satisfaction No. Percentage
More than 3 years 6 12.0 Yes 50 100.0
Total 50 100.0 No 0 0
38% of the respondents are using solar products for Total 50 100.0
2 -3 years, 32% are using solar products for 1-2
years, 18% of them are using for less than one year 100% of the respondents are satisfied about the
and 12% of them are using for more than 3 years. solar products.
Hence, majority of the respondents are using
solar products for 2-3 years. Chi-Square Test
Chi- square test is used to study the
Table 10: Type of purchase relationship between the Age of the respondents
No. Percentage with
Factors influencing the purchase of solar products,
Cash 31 62.0
Mode of purchase, and Sources of awareness about
Credit 14 28.0
solar products
Both 5 10.0 Age of the respondents Vs Factors influencing
Total 50 100.0 the purchase of solar products
62% of the respondents purchase solar products by
cash and 28% of them purchase by credit and 10% Null Hypothesis
of them purchase solar products by both cash and There is no significant relationship
credit. Hence, majority of the respondents have between age of the respondents and factors
purchased solar products by paying cash. influencing the purchase of solar products.

Value df Sig
Chi-Square 107.924 24 Significant

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 652

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR)
Vol-2, Issue-4, 2016
ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

The calculated chi square value is 107.924 is
greater than the table value (13.848) at 95% level
of significance. Hence, the null hypothesis is
rejected leading to the conclusion that there is
significant relationship between the age of
respondents and factors influencing the buying of
the solar products.
Age of respondents Vs Mode of purchase of
solar products
Null Hypothesis
There is no significant relationship
between age of the respondents and awareness
of the respondents about solar products.
Value df Sig
Chi-Square 36.594 8 Significant
The calculated chi square value is 36.594 is greater
than the table value (2.733) at 95% level of
significance. Hence, the null hypothesis is rejected
and there is significant relationship between the age
of respondents and mode of purchase of solar
products.
Age of respondents Vs Source of awareness
Null Hypothesis
There is no significant relationship
between age of the respondents and awareness
of the respondents about solar products.
and implementation of solar products in their
production process, products and the alike.
References
Books/Journals Referred
Dr. M. Venkatraman and U. Sheeba (2014)1 “ A
Study on Customer’s Attitude towards solar energy
Devices” International Research Journal of
Business and Management – IRJBM ISSN 2322 –
083X, Volume No – V, May – 2014.
Anupamaa S chavan and Dr. Madhav N Welling
(2013)2 “Assessing the Awareness of Government
Subsidy for Solar Water Heaters among people of
Mumbai (India)” American International Journal of
Research in Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences –
AIJRHASS ISSN 2328-3696, pp. 145-148, May -
2013.
Kothari, C.R., Research Methodology Methods and
Techniques, Vishwaprakashan, New Delhi, 2005.
The Solar (2008, July). Vol.1. Issue 1. New Delhi:
The Energy Research Institue.
Websites
www.google.com
www.indianjournals.com
www.solar products.com
www.vsrdjournals.com

Value df Sig
Chi-Square 100.856 20 Significant

The calculated chi square value is 100.856 is

greater than the table value (10.851) at 95% level
of significance. Hence, the null hypothesis is
rejected and there is significant relationship
between the age of respondents and mode of source
of awareness about the solar products.

Conclusion

The study on “AWARENESS AND

USAGE OF SOLAR PRODUCTS AMONG
WOMEN GRADUATES” in Coimbatore helped
in identifying their knowledge about solar products,
the source of information about solar products and
their opinion about solar products. Most of the
consumers are aware about solar products through
their friends and most of them using solar products.
Solar products ensure the green quality of products.
There is significant scope in future for direct
energy through the installation of solar products.
Today the firms are aware regarding the adoption

Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Page 653