FROM POLICY TO PRACTICE- BARRIERS TO SOLAR ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN NEPAL: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Nepal holds immense solar energy potential, estimated at 432 gigawatts, yet its grid-connected capacity remains minimal at only about 107 megawatts as of mid-2024. To understand this disparity, this study conducted a systematic review aiming to comprehensively identify, categorize, and analyze the barriers hindering solar energy deployment in the country, synthesizing literature from 2010 to 2024. Adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the research methodically examined peer-reviewed and gray literature from major databases and institutional sources, employing the SPIDER framework for inclusion and conducting quality assessment with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Thematic synthesis of 89 studies revealed six primary barrier categories, with regulatory frameworks (91%), economic constraints (88%), and institutional capacity (85%) being the most prevalent, followed by complex permitting (79%), technical limitations (76%), and social factors (45%). The analysis further uncovered that institutional barriers intensified after Nepals 2015 federal restructuring and that barrier profiles varied significantly across different ecological zones. The study concludes that overcoming these challenges requires integrated policy interventions focused on improving inter governmental coordination, streamlining permits, and enhancing financing mechanisms. Nepals impending graduation from Least Developed Country status in November 2026 is noted as a critical juncture presenting both challenges and a unique opportunity to accelerate its solar energy transition.