PESHAWAR: Agil Khan, a teacher of Government College of Management Sciences-H Peshawar, successfully defended his PhD thesis under the supervision of Dr Naila Nazir at department of economics, University of Peshawar.

In thesis tilted `Consumers` behaviour towards adoptability of solar energy: A sectorial analysis of district Peshawar`, he has analysed as to why individuals are not motivated towards green and clean energy, which is need of the hour to cope not only with climate change problems but also empower them with sustainable energy at comparatively lower cost than fossil fuel energy.

He says that many factors including lack of adequate policy and financial packages, insufficient government support, imposition of 17 per cent GST and non-awareness of consumers regarding the benefits of solar energy are the main barriers in adoptability behaviour ofconsumers towards solar energy.

Some factors including environmental protection concerns, net-metering technology, research and development for promotion of solar energy are the driving forces to enhance adoptability behaviour of consumers towards solar PV system.

Based on the results, the dissertation provides policy recommendations, which include initiation of subsidy programme for solar installation, revision of tariff rates and import duty for solar system, start-up of vocational and training institutions for availability of skilful technicians, and encouragement of local production.

These measures can enhance adoption of solar energy and lead the nation towards green and clean Pakistan, it says.

After successful defence of the scholar, the external examiner, Dr Mohammad Tariq Khan, approved his thesis and recommended him for the award of PhD degree in economics.