Social Rural Energy, Solar Energy, and Sustainable Rural Research Trends in Asia and Indonesia

Abstract

Electricity is a vital energy source required by both commercial and non-commercial entities. Global progress towards achieving sustainable energy goals remains insufficient in terms of pace. An examination of titles within reputable international publication databases such as SCOPUS.COM indicates a substantial rise in research focused on social rural sustainability since the year 2000. Despite the increasing recognition of research and publications worldwide, there are currently no researchers from Indonesia contributing to these endeavours. Indonesia's contribution to social rural sustainable research is relatively limited in comparison to other Asian countries, including India, China, Japan, and Iran, which have larger rural populations. Indonesia's universities, namely Brawijaya University, Universitas Sebelas Maret, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, and Universitas Islam Negeri Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, make significant contributions to social, rural, and sustainable research. However, it is worth noting that despite the growth of research on social rural energy since 1982, there has been no contribution from researchers in Indonesia. Similarly, research on social solar energy has been expanding since 1970, but there is still no involvement from Indonesian researchers. Indonesia should prioritise increased support for research on social solar energy and research on social rural energy in order to effectively progress towards sustainable energy objectives.