Appliances for All: Assessing the Inclusivity of the Solar Lighting and Appliances Sector

Improving inclusivity is crucial to achieving a just energy transition and maximising energy access gains, especially for vulnerable groups like women, people with disabilities and low-income households. This report examines how well solar lighting and appliances are reaching key populations, and assesses inclusion across solar company employment practices and product offerings.

Efficiency for Access analysed 19 household surveys spanning 5,483 solar lighting and appliance customers in eight countries; and self-reported company data from nine solar product manufacturers and distributors. This meta-analysis is a first step towards establishing a baseline to understand how well the sector is performing across different facets of inclusivity. The report includes:

• A data-driven profile of the ‘typical solar product user’
• An assessment of how well the sector is reaching women, people living in poverty, and people with disabilities
• Analysis of gender gaps in hiring and compensation among private sector companies, and the diversity of product expertise and offering

To fully realize the benefits of a just energy transition, the analysis recommends addressing the affordability gap, developing and tracking diversity, equity and inclusion metrics, and innovating and investing in a broader array of solar appliances, among other tactics. The report identifies critical information gaps, and provides discrete recommendations for donors, market development programs, investors, and manufacturers.