Off-grid solar could bring light to nearly 400 million unelectrified homes

A six-fold investment boost is crucial for off-grid solar's full potential.

With 660 million people projected to still live in the dark globally by 2030, off-grid solar could be the most affordable solution to provide them access to electricity, according to a study by World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) and GOGLA.

The study specifically said off-grid solar could easily reach 398 million of them. However, this will need a six-fold increase in investments, or around $21b, to realise the sector’s potential.

Off-grid solar has powered over 50% of new connections in sub-Saharan Africa, home to 80% of the global unelectrified population, between 2020 and 2022. As of 2023, off-grid solar solutions were estimated to benefit over 560 million people.

Aside from the $21b, another $74b would be crucial to fund solar water pumps, cold storage solutions, and Tier 2+ OGS solutions for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.

“Companies, investors, governments and development partners need to work together to ensure off-grid solar fulfils its potential, enabling the achievement of SDG 7, and having a transformative impact on households, businesses, farmers and social infrastructure,” World Bank said.