This slide deck, part of an online course, gives a brief but thorough overview of business models for off-grid solar energy, looking in particular at pay-as-you-go models, and presents insights into the investment landscape for off-grid solar companies.
This article announces the adoption of harmonised minimum energy performance standards for air conditioners and refrigerators in the 16 member countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). It also explains the process by which these harmonised standards were developed and adopted.
This article explores how the Central American Integration System (SICA) has helped lead the way to improve energy efficiency in appliances at the regional level, and the opportunities that further harmonisation could generate.
This brief explains the importance and benefits of an internationally harmonized quality assurance framework for small scale solar photovoltaic (pico-PV) products. Benefits are outlined for specific stakeholder groups, and a summary of the Lighting Global Quality Assurance (QA) Framework is provided for reference.
This brief explains the role of product testing in standard-setting for off-grid solar products. It provides recommendations based on good practices and explains how the Lighting Global Quality Assurance Program can help governments implement and enforce standards.
This policy brief provides guidance on the importance of quality standards for stand-alone solar products; how to develop and adopt standards, and the current status in Africa; common challenges encountered in this process; and market surveillance; as well as recommendations for governments.
This report by the Alliance for Rural Electrification explores the role of women in advancing electrification and socio-economic development in rural communities and gives examples of ways to integrate gender equality throughout the off-grid energy supply chain.
This report assesses the effectiveness of women in energy networks worldwide and offers best practices and recommendations for networks under development or those aiming to enhance their impact.
This report provides recommendations for improving the availability of sex-disaggregated and specific gender equality data in the energy sector, to improve decision making and programme design.
This guide leverages FAO’s extensive experience of developing and delivering e-learning solutions to offer practical advice and guidance to trainers and instructional designers who wish to develop effective capacity building initiatives.