Scaling Off-grid Energy – Market Assessments

This study conducted market and end-of-life assessments for off-grid solar home systems and batteries in Uganda and Senegal. It was a two-year (2018-2019) study aimed at understanding the emerging off-grid solar home systems (SHS) market in Sub-Saharan Africa, with particular focus on Uganda and Senegal. Funded by USAID’s Scaling Off-Grid Energy (SOGE) program, the study brought together an international consortium including University of California Berkeley, Innovations for Poverty Action, Makerere University, Université Cheikh Anta Diop de Dakar, and CLASP.

The research employed a mixed methods approach to address critical knowledge gaps in the rapidly expanding off-grid energy sector. The first component involved a detailed market analysis of SHS and battery technologies across both countries, examining supply chains, pricing structures, product quality variations, and consumer adoption patterns. Researchers conducted surveys with over 1,500 households in rural Uganda using randomized sampling techniques to understand consumer behavior regarding product selection, usage patterns, and after-sales service expectations. The second research stream focused on end-of-life management, conducting key informant interviews with manufacturers, distributors, repair technicians, and waste management entities to map current practices around product take-back, warranty programs, repairs, upgrades, and disposal. The findings revealed significant environmental concerns as most SHS components ended up in general waste streams with minimal recycling infrastructure. The third innovative component explored emerging battery technologies, assessing their suitability for off-grid applications in tropical climates. The research identified critical bottlenecks including inconsistent product standards, limited technical capacity for repairs, inadequate consumer protection mechanisms, and virtually non-existent recycling systems.

The research findings revealed substantial variations in product performance and lifespan, with many systems failing well before their advertised lifespan due to component mismatches, poor installation, or inadequate maintenance. The research also highlighted gender dimensions in SHS adoption and usage, with women often having less decision-making power in purchases but greater responsibility for system maintenance.