Surveys Show COVID-19 is Slowing Down Universal Access to Energy Off-grid solar (OGS) has been instrumental in increasing electricity access globally. According to the 2020 Market Trends Report, solar home systems and mini-grids were serving 420 million people by the end of 2019. Companies in OGS were moving to new locations to electrify undeserved populations. […]
2020: A year like no other – Pauline Githugu We stepped into 2020 with plenty of optimism and with plans all laid out for a very productive year. The stand-alone solar sector was looking forward to conquer new territory, release new innovations, and to connect more consumers to clean energy in the race towards universal […]
Workshop: Making off-grid solar solutions affordable. Date: 19th November 2020 Time: 14.30PM EAT/11.30AM GMT Despite ambitious 2020 electrification targets, many Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries still have relatively low electricity access, especially in rural areas representing close to 85 percent of the global energy access deficit[1]. Off-grid solar products have been identified as the least-cost solution […]
In Africa, the burden of sub-standard quality solar products falls on unsuspecting consumers. They invest their hard earned income into solutions that are meant to improve the quality of life for their families, only to find that the product provides service for a short time. ACE TAF is working with governments, development partners and the […]
Written by Pauline Githugu, Team Leader ACE TAF As far as universal access to clean energy is concerned, there is no doubt that firstly, there remains a huge number of households in Sub-Sahara Africa that do not have access to clean energy. As of 2018 the number stood at 548 million unelectrified people.[1] This has […]
Written by Esther Kahinga, Knowledge Manager – ACE TAF SDG 17 on partnerships for the goals could be the goal that will make the greatest contribution to the achievement of all the other 16 goals. The saying ‘there is strength in unity’ means more to us now in the face of the global Covid-19 pandemic […]
Written by Mary Githinji, Kenya Country Manager – ACE TAF In March 2020, the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 was published proposing the deletion of VAT exemptions on Off-grid Solar products. Subsequently, ACE TAF provided support to KEREA to advocate against the removal of VAT exemption on solar products. However, despite the concerted efforts by the […]
In Sub-Saharan Africa access to electricity in rural areas stands at 25% compared to 75% in urban areas. Up to 595 million people still do not have access to electricity in a season where many people are required to stay at home due to the Covid-19 global pandemic. According to GSMA, 50% of these people […]
GOGLA and The World Bank Group’s Lighting Global programme hosted the 2020 edition of the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo on the 18th to the 20th February 2020 in Nairobi, Kenya. The Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo is the premier meeting of the off-grid solar sector providing a unique platform for knowledge exchange, […]