New Global Off-Grid Solar Market Report shows record-breaking sales of solar energy kits

Sales volumes have surpassed those of 2019, showing a bounce-back from COVID

TV, refrigeration units and solar water pump sales grew compared to the first half of the year

Amsterdam, 4 May 2023

The latest semi-annual Global Off-Grid Solar Market Report published by GOGLA, the global association for the off-grid solar industry, with support from Efficiency for Access and the World Bank Group’s Lighting Global Program shows that GOGLA affiliates sold 9.5 million solar energy kits in 2022. 

Image: Little Sun. Credit Chona Mwemba. Zambia_Sales agents installing a solar home system
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Image: Little Sun. Credit Chona Mwemba. Zambia_Sales agents installing a solar home system

The new report shares data from July to December of 2022 and allows for estimates of total sales for 2022. Data is gathered from leading off-grid solar companies that represent around 28% of the overall off-grid solar market (termed ‘GOGLA affiliates’).  

After COVID affected sales in 2020 and 2021, clear signs of recovery in 2022 mean an increased number of beneficiaries. This is a positive sign. However, to reach SDG7 and optimise the productive use of energy (PUE), sales of solar energy kits and PUE technologies still need to accelerate rapidly. More than 700 million people still live without electricity access, 40%  of whom live in markets with only nascent off-grid solar markets. 

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Key takeaways:

  • Today, 104 million people benefit from improved access to energy through off-grid solar energy kits from GOGLA affiliates and close to 15 million are benefiting from improved access to appliances.
  • In the past decade, 98 million metric tons of CO2e have been avoided through the sale of off-grid solar solutions by affiliate companies, the equivalent of taking 26 coal-fired power plants offline for a year.
  • 5.2 million solar energy kits were sold in the second half of 2022, a 20% increase from the first half of the year and 18% higher than the previous peak in the second half of 2019.
  • PAYGO sales grew by 33% to exceed 2 million units for the first time
  • Solar home systems (SHS) recorded a 68% growth in sales, the highest of all product categories, led by numbers in Nigeria. 
  • TV sales grew by 28%, mainly due to increased sales of larger SHS in markets like Kenya and Nigeria
  • Global refrigeration units sales grew by 68%, after low sales volumes in the previous two semi-annual rounds of reporting
  • Solar water pump sales grew 63%, with growth concentrated in Kenya and Nigeria
  • A drop was seen in the sale of fans when compared to the first half of 2022. However, this is consistent with seasonal sales fluctuations seen each year.

* You can access the full Global Off-Grid Solar Market Report Semi-Annual Sales and Impact Data January-June 2022 here

It’s encouraging to see the growth in off-grid solar sales finally recover after COVID. This clearly demonstrates the importance that people in unelectrified communities place on having access to clean, safe and modern energy services. Now it’s time to get behind the sector if we want to keep the pace needed to reach the SDG7 goal of electricity for all by 2030 Patrick K. Tonui, Head of Policy and Regional Strategy at GOGLA
It’s fantastic to see the market starting to properly recover after the slow rates of growth observed since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. The growth in sales of productive-use appliances, such as solar water pumps and refrigerator units, is especially encouraging, as we know these appliances can have the greatest impact on livelihoods and quality of life. Now is the time for stakeholders to think carefully about how to design interventions so that no one is left behind. Development partners and donors must coordinate their efforts and forge strong partnerships to enable the poorest and most remote off-grid customers to access these appliances, and the benefits that come with them. Emilie Carmichael, Head of International at Energy Saving Trust

About GOGLA

GOGLA is the global association for the off-grid solar energy industry. We are proud to champion one of the world’s most innovative and impactful sectors. Hundreds of millions of people already benefit from affordable, high-quality, clean off-grid solar products and services. 

With the right support, our pioneering industry will be able to scale up rapidly to improve the lives of 1 billion people by 2030. To help make this happen, we promote, safeguard, and convene the industry, advocating for enabling policies and increased investment as well as supporting our 200+ members with effective services. 

To find out more, visit www.gogla.org.

About Lighting Global

Lighting Global is the World Bank Group’s initiative to rapidly increase access to off-grid solar energy for the 733 million people living without electricity world-wide. Managed by the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), we work with governments, the private sector, development partners, and end-users, continually innovating to unlock key market barriers and enable access and affordability to those that would otherwise be left behind. Our support has expanded to technologies that go far beyond lighting, including systems to power the needs of households, businesses, schools, and health centers. We operate with funding gratefully acknowledged from ESMAP and their donors.

For more information, please visit www.lightingglobal.org

About Efficiency for Access 

Efficiency for Access is a global coalition working to promote high performing appliances that enable access to clean energy for the world’s poorest people. It is a catalyst for change, accelerating the growth of off-grid appliance markets to boost incomes, reduce carbon emissions, improve quality of life, and support sustainable development. Efficiency for Access consists of 20 Donor Roundtable Members, 19 Programme Partners, and more than 30 Investor Network members. Current Efficiency for Access Coalition members have programmes and initiatives spanning 62 countries and 34 key technologies. The Efficiency for Access Coalition is coordinated jointly by CLASP, an international appliance energy efficiency and market development specialist not-for-profit organisation, and UK’s Energy Saving Trust, which specialises in energy efficiency product verification, data and insight, advice, and research.

For more information, please visit www.efficiencyforaccess.org

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