Igniting Solar Energy Markets

Around 1.1 billion people globally do not have access to electricity, and the hardest hit communities are in sub-Saharan Africa. Access to entry-level solutions such as solar lanterns could fundamentally improve the quality of life in these communities – giving access to safer, cleaner and more affordable energy.

New financial models such as PAYGo are fuelling the market for larger solar home systems. Private sector companies are shifting their focus to these systems to meet the growing demand and are disinvesting in basic lanterns and phone charging solutions. However, not all markets are ready to fully embrace the larger systems. In fact, for a number of countries with less developed markets, the introduction of solar lanterns can be seen as an important first step to increase awareness of the benefits of solar energy, and help facilitate gradual market development towards larger solar systems with an even bigger impact.

SNV’s ambitious Call to Action: Igniting Solar Energy Markets is a call to engage partners to join forces to fast track universal energy access in less developed markets. Through a market-based collaborative programme approach, the call aims to disseminate 5 million Global Lighting certified solar lanterns to the Bottom of the Pyramid in 5 (to be selected) countries, in 5 years.

The purpose of this launch event is to raise these important issues and our Call to Action to our key stakeholder communities. The themes and focus of this launch event would contribute to the high level session entitled SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and SDG 13: Climate Action.

The Call to Action will be presented by Tom Derksen, Managing Director for Energy, SNV. Following the launch, a panel consisting of key industry representatives will provide brief statements.