Off-grid solar remains the lowest cost solution for at least 398 million people without access to electricity.
A report by the World Bank Group’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and GOGLA says that reaching that entire population by 2030 will require sustained public and private investment, supported by government policies that improve affordability.
The number of people using solar home systems, water pumps, generators, lanterns and other off-grid solar products rose by 26% over the past two years from 118 million to 149 million.
The report also highlights the durability and maturity of the sector. Among those surveyed, 95% reported that their solar home systems remained functional four or more years after purchase.
Sarah Malm, Executive Director, GOGLA, said: “Off-grid solar has proven it can deliver at scale, through shocks, and in places the grid has not reached. It now irrigates farms, keeps clinics open, and powers the businesses that hold rural economies together: these are the functions of economic infrastructure.”
The findings come as countries advance Mission 300, the World Bank Group and African Development Bank initiative to connect 300 million people to electricity across sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
Distributed renewable energy, including off-grid solar, is expected to play a significant role in achieving that goal. Already, 80% of the 35 National Energy Compacts developed under Mission 300 include distributed renewable energy in their connection targets.
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