Solar lighting in developing countries -- a market of USD 300m/yr

Solar off-grid lighting is now a market worth USD 300 million (EUR 264m) a year in developing countries, according to a report cited by the Saudi Gazette on Tuesday.

More than 13 million off-grid quality verified solar products have so far been sold in developing nations. Africa alone has seen a tripling of sales in the last three years, with 35 million rural Africans getting affordable and clean lighting as a result.

The report is to be released by the World Bank Group and the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA), in cooperation with Bloomberg New Energy Finance, at the Off-Grid Lighting Conference and Exhibition in Dubai later in October.

The solar off-grid lighting industry can improve lives and deliver economic benefits and its progress is important for achieving the UN goal of universal energy access by 2030. Currently, more than 1 billion people do not have access to electricity.

The sector has developed quickly in recent years and now many businesses are offering basic solar energy services such as lighting and phone charging to low-income families in Africa and Asia. Investment in the industry has also grown fast and several firms have secured more than USD 20 million, according to the article.

(USD 1.0 = EUR 0.879)

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