Innovative Off-Grid Solar Appliances Can Help Bridge the Energy Access Gap for Millions Worldwide
The latest research from Efficiency for Access finds a significant need and business opportunity to scale up the market for off-grid solar appliances like fans, refrigerators, water pumps, and grain mills. Doing so would bring life-changing energy access to millions worldwide.
Nairobi, Kenya – 24 September 2024 – Scaling up the market for off-grid solar appliances like fans, refrigerators, water pumps, and grain mills could bring life-changing energy access to millions of people, with significant potential to enhance resilience and stimulate sustainable economic development in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. According to the latest report from Efficiency for Access, “Leave No One Behind: Bridging the Energy Access Gap with Innovative Off-Grid Solar Solutions,” approximately 159 million of these appliances are needed to serve people who lack access to the grid. Right now, at the current slow pace of electrification, 660 million people – most of them in Africa – will remain without electricity by 2030. Currently, however, less than 2% of this demand is being met.
As the gap between current and potential sales is vast, it presents a significant business opportunity. Research from the report shows that if everyone who needed an off-grid solar appliance could purchase one, the market value would reach $58 billion USD.
To reach this potential and support millions in gaining access to life-changing energy, the off-grid solar appliance sector must scale dramatically by:
- tackling the challenges of consumer affordability;
- adopting several game changers, such as brushless DC motors, artificial intelligence, and local manufacturing; as well as
- dedicating greater human and capital investment.
If all market actors act with speed and urgency to close the appliance access gap, they could benefit millions of people by 2030.
“The role of efficient solar appliances in providing services like agroprocessing, irrigation, and cooling cannot be overstated. The world is falling behind on achieving basic universal access by 2030, and even further in getting life-changing appliances to the most vulnerable communities; this needs to be course-corrected ASAP. Our research points to the urgency around getting these appliances in the hands of millions of people who most need them to lift them out of poverty and improve their quality of life.” —Martha Wakoli (CLASP Clean Energy Access Manager), report author
For more information about “Leave No One Behind: Bridging the Energy Access Gap with Innovative Off-Grid Solar Solutions,” please contact:
Sarah Wesseler
Communications Manager
CLASP
About Efficiency for Access:
Efficiency for Access (EforA) is a global coalition dedicated to advancing high-efficiency appliances to enhance clean energy access for the world’s most impoverished communities. Current EforA Coalition members have programs and initiatives spanning 62 countries and 34 key technologies. The coalition is coordinated jointly by CLASP, an international appliance energy efficiency and market development specialist not-for-profit organization, and UK’s Energy Saving Trust, which specializes in energy efficiency product verification, data and insight, advice, and research.