Press release

London, UK, 11.10.24 – SolarAid, in partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), is thrilled to announce the release of the first-ever State of Repair in the Off-Grid Solar Sector report, offering a comprehensive look at the current landscape of repair services within the off-grid solar energy sector across the Global South. This report, the culmination of insights gathered from 75 key industry stakeholders, sheds light on both the opportunities and challenges faced by the sector in addressing repair needs.

Since 2008, SolarAid has worked to repair non-functioning solar products, starting with early projects in Malawi. In 2022, following the release of a white paper developed in collaboration with UNSW, SolarAid broadened its focus to the wider off-grid energy sector. The newly launched State of Repair report builds on this foundation, with the participation of industry leaders—including distributors, manufacturers, investors, and donors—offering a diverse and comprehensive overview of the current state of repair in the sector.

The State of Repair report reveals that while 90% of distributors are already offering some form of repair service, smaller companies still face barriers to entry. The report also highlights disparities between distributors and manufacturers, particularly in areas like manufacturer support and access to spare parts—two major challenges that hamper high-quality repair services.

● Access to affordable spare parts, ranked as the highest challenge by industry

participants.

● Issues with last-mile logistics, training, and product design limitations.

● The cost of repair and a need for greater collaboration between manufacturers

and distributors to overcome logistical hurdles.

Despite these obstacles, the report also outlines opportunities for sector-wide solutions. Stakeholders are calling for better access to spare parts, business model guidance, and increased support from manufacturers—challenges that SolarAid and its partners are actively working to address.

Electronic waste is one of the fastest growing solid waste streams in the world. In 2022, an estimated 62 million tonnes of e-waste were produced globally, only 22.3% was documented as formally collected and recycled.

SolarAid and UNSW’s 2023 white paper revealed that 75% of all solar products sold in sub-Saharan Africa—approximately 110 million solar lights—are now non-functional, with nearly 91% of these products still repairable. Many users retain these solar lights, holding on to them in the hope of future repair. However, rural repair attempts often fail due to limited access to reliable tools and parts.

The State of Repair report emphasises the urgent need for sector-wide repair services, not only to extend product lifespans and reduce e-waste but also to provide valuable services to rural households. “Warranties are not enough, especially for households with limited incomes,” McCloskey noted. “By addressing these challenges, we can deliver on customer demand and create lasting environmental benefits.”

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Established in 2006, SolarAid is a UK based, pioneering international charity tackling poverty and climate change by providing access to clean, safe solar lights in underserved rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. Through its social enterprise, they are developing innovative enterprise programmes for solar energy distribution to help progress universal energy access.

http://solar-aid.org @SolarAid

For more information please contact our Communications team.