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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.
- Categories
- Energy
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What Is Preventing the Adoption of Renewable Energy in Rural India, and How to Fix It?
In the hinterland, poor power quality continues to affect service delivery organisations in the health, education, and livelihood sectors.
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- Energy
- Region
- South Asia
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Press Release: SunFunder Makes First Investment in Nigeria With Daystar Power
SunFunder, a solar finance company providing debt capital to solar enterprises in emerging markets, today announced its first disbursement in Nigeria, part of a facility of up to $4m with commercial and industrial (C&I) solar developer, Daystar Power.
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- Energy
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India to Boost Renewables by Over $800 Million in 2020
In India, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has been given an annual increase of 10.62% or INR 57.53 billion (approximately $806.65 million) in the country’s 2020 national budget.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- South Asia
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Giant Solar Arrays: Do Big Ambitions Mean Big Problems?
Some of the world’s most ambitious large-scale solar projects have been plagued by delay, ultimately making them a financial burden rather than a beacon on the renewable power horizon. Does this mean such projects are outdated?
- Categories
- Energy
- Tags
- energy access, solar
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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.
- Categories
- 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