Hong Kong/Utrecht/Washington DC, Monday, 22 January, 2018
HONG KONG, Jan. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks the start of the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo, a three-day event held biennially where 600+ key industry stakeholders are gathering to take stock of progress and discuss future trends in the off-grid solar sector.
Organized by GOGLA and the IFC-World Bank Lighting Global program, and supported by the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and 12 additional sponsors, the event comes at a time in which the industry is seeing remarkable growth.
Globally, 130 million life-changing solar products have been sold since 2010, as reported in the newly-released 2018 Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report. In this time, the sector is estimated to have reached as many as 360 million people across the developing world, around 17% of the global potential market. It has generated USD 3.9 billion in cumulative revenue over the last eight years.
"Over the last decade, a concerted global effort has created a market for off-grid solar products, demonstrating that off-grid solutions can complement sustained grid electrification efforts to accelerate the rate of energy access," explains Riccardo Puliti, Senior Director for the Energy & Extractives Global Practice at the World Bank.
The dynamism of sector is being driven by a growing number of companies deploying innovative business models, selling an ever-expanding range of off-grid solar products and services.
Bringing together key stakeholders from across the industry's value chain, such as policy-makers, investors, donors, manufacturers, and distributors, the event provides a vital platform for dialogue and debate about the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. In addition, over 50 companies will showcase their latest off-grid solar innovations at the industry's largest exhibition. A full agenda of the event can be found here.
Some of the very latest developments within the sector are being announced today by event sponsors d.light, Greenlight Planet and BBOXX:
The convening also sees the launch of the sector's biennial flagship publication, the 2018 Global Solar Off-Grid Market Trends Report, key findings from which will be presented during the opening plenary.
"We are very excited to be launching the latest version of this landmark publication," explains Russell Sturm, Global Head of Energy Access at IFC. "The report delves into the latest investment trends and advances in technology, marketing and policy. It reveals some encouraging findings including an increase in interest and commitment from investors. Over USD 500 million has been raised in the last two years alone, and we're also seeing a growing acknowledgement from governments and development institutions who are committing significant resources into our sector, and for good reason. The sector's growth since 2010 has been extremely impressive. This report provides a vital tool for anyone interested in charting that growth."
For all media enquiries, contact Rahim Kanani on +1 617 460 9238 / rkanani@ifc.org and Anna Wells on +91 98236 90135/ a.wells@gogla.org
About GOGLA
GOGLA is the voice of the off-grid solar lighting and electrification sector. Established in 2012, GOGLA now represents over 100 members as a neutral, independent, not-for-profit industry association. Its mission is to help its members build sustainable markets, delivering quality, affordable products and services to as many households, businesses and communities as possible across the developing world. The products and solutions that GOGLA members sell transform lives. They improve health and education, create jobs and income opportunities and help consumers save money. To find out more, go to www.gogla.org.
About Lighting Global
Lighting Global is the World Bank Group's platform to support sustainable growth of the international off-grid solar market as a means of rapidly increasing energy access to people without grid electricity. Through Lighting Global, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the World Bank work with GOGLA, manufacturers, distributors, and other development partners to develop the modern off-grid energy market. The Lighting Global program -- in partnership with industry -- provides market insights, steers development of quality assurance frameworks for modern, off-grid lighting devices and systems, and promotes sustainability. To find out more, go to www.lightingglobal.org.
About ESMAP
ESMAP is a partnership between the World Bank Group and 17 partners to help low and middle-income countries reduce poverty and boost growth, through environmentally sustainable energy solutions. Situated within the World Bank, ESMAP influences billions in loans for development projects, leverages public and private financing, and shapes global policy. To find out more, go to www.esmap.org.