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The Clock is Ticking on Energy Access: Exploring Factor[e] Ventures’ Big Bet on Mini-Grids
Since 2010, the number of people without energy access has decreased from almost 1.2 billion to 840 million. But while that's encouraging, the world is not on track to meet SDG7’s goal of universal electrification. What's more, as Amanda DelCore at Factor[e] Ventures points out, more connections may not always equal more access. In light of these realities, she explores why Factor[e] has built its energy access thesis around mini-grids.
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Expanding Impact and Emerging Risks in Off-Grid Energy: 10 Customer Insights – And Five Calls to Action
Social impact measurement is often a balancing act between generating rich, meaningful insights – and getting lost in the details. 60 Decibels aims to strike that balance with its first impact performance report, “Why Off Grid Energy Matters,” based on over 35,000 interviews with customers of 49 off-grid energy companies in 17 countries. Kat Harrison and Sasha Dichter explore some highlights, ranging from hyper-specific insights on customer impact, to sector-wide risks and gaps.
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- Energy, Impact Assessment
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Bottom-up Solutions to the Climate Emergency: Three Innovative, Eco-Inclusive Enterprises Take a Local Approach
We just reached the end of the hottest decade on record, and local communities – particularly in the Global South – are bearing the brunt of the impact. As climate change disrupts development efforts and worsens global food crises, population displacement and water scarcity, there's a growing need for more resilient communities. The SEED Awards highlight eco-inclusive enterprises that are addressing this challenge – authors at SEED discuss some promising examples.
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- Agriculture, Energy, Environment, Social Enterprise
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Waiting Game: Where is All the Investment in Solar-Powered Productive Use Appliances?
The solar industry has helped over 360 million people in off-grid communities gain access to basic electricity – and the sector is moving beyond just lighting. Many companies now offer household appliances and, increasingly, “productive-use” appliances that support income-generating activities. However, investment in companies deploying these technologies remains minimal. Leslie Labruto at Acumen and Jeff Stottlemyer at CLASP explore the problem, and some potential solutions.
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- Energy
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The Time is Now for a Renewable Energy Transition in Haiti
Though they have comparable populations and share the same Caribbean island, the energy capacity in the Dominican Republic exceeds that of Haiti by a factor of 10 to one. Carl Black at Deetken Impact explores that discrepancy and argues that, though fossil fuels still represent over 85% of installed capacity in both countries, they also present an enticing opportunity for renewable energy development.
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- Energy
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Solar Energy Storage Faces a Battery of Challenges – How to Overpower Them
Diesel electricity generation is expensive, unsustainable and harmful to users' health and the environment. But it still dominates the energy mix in emerging markets. Why? According to Alec Macklis at Gridspan Energy, one reason is that solar energy is intermittent by nature, making it hard to incorporate into a reliable energy system. But though this problem can be solved by better energy storage, solar + storage solutions haven't gained major traction. He explores the reasons for this, and presents an innovative energy storage approach that could help.
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- Energy
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Off-Grid Solar Is Entering a New Era of Growth: GOGLA’s Off-Grid Solar Forum Explores Why
As the off-grid solar sector enters its second decade as a significant energy source, it's facing a host of new challenges, opportunities and growing pains. These dynamic changes will take center stage at the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum Expo, jointly organized by GOGLA (the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry) and the World Bank Group’s Lighting Global initiative next month in Nairobi, Kenya. GOGLA Executive Director Koen Peters shares why this conference won't be about rosy forecasts, but the real work of building the sector.
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- Energy
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Lighting the Way: How the PAYGo Solar Industry is Expanding to Other Life-Changing Products
Millions of customers in Africa are using lighting generated by PAYGo solar – but lights are just one of many products the PAYGo business model can provide – something the companies working in the sector are beginning to realize. Chris Emmott at Fenix International discusses the vast array of products and services enabled by the new connections PAYGo solar companies are making to rural customers.
- Categories
- Energy
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