The market for off-grid solar powered lights has expanded rapidly in recent years. Cumulative global sales over the past five years exceed 8 million units, and sales have grown at annual rates exceeding 100%. This has been driven by improvements in technology, reductions in manufacturing costs and the great demand for access to modern lighting. However, poor quality lights have also entered the off-grid lighting market and threaten to spoil customer trust of the technology.
Lighting Global—a joint IFC and World Bank program—is working to support sustainable growth of the global off-grid lighting market. In order for customers to invest in solar lights, they must be confident that the product they purchase will perform as promised and last for a reasonable period of time. However, many customers find it difficult to discern between good and poor quality products.
Resource Type: Quality Assurance