QA | Institutions Use the QA Framework to Determine Program Eligibility and Incentive Levels

Organizations around the world are leveraging the Lighting Global Quality Assurance framework to ensure their procurement and incentive programs deliver results.  By requiring that products meet the Lighting Global Quality Standards, program administrators can:

1. Have confidence that the products they promote function as advertised, and 
2. Invest in overall market health by encouraging the entry and uptake of high-quality, high-performing products.

Most recently, the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP) established results-based financing and debt facilities to provide incentives to companies to set up operations and sell solar and clean cooking solutions in underserved areas of Kenya. In order to be eligible for the KOSAP solar RBF (US$ 12m) and solar Debt Facility (US$ 30m), multi-light products must comply with the Lighting Global Quality Standards and deliver SEforALL Tier 1 energy access. The RBF will calculate incentives for pico-solar products and solar home system kits based on the daily electrical energy generated by the system in a solar day (measured in watt-hours/day), a figure now reported on a product’s Standardized Specification Sheet for some of the products listed on the Lighting Global products page.
While linking an RBF incentive to an energy service metric is a relatively new development in the sector, it is common for institutions to use the Quality Standards as a gateway or prerequisite for program participants or investees. For example, GIZ-led RBF programs have used the Quality Standards to nudge the market toward the Quality Verification process. One RBF program in Benin allowed all solar products to qualify, but set the incentive amount 40 percent lower for products that did not meet the Quality Standards. Additionally, the Government of Madagascar adopted voluntary standards for pico-solar and solar home system kits that are in alignment with the Lighting Global Quality Standards. The World Bank is now working with the government to implement import duty and VAT reductions for compliant products. Products that do not comply with the Quality Standards are still permitted to enter Madagascar but do not qualify for a subsidy.
By leveraging the Lighting Global Quality Standards and Quality Assurance Framework, organizations and institutions can be sure the products they promote deliver the best possible outcomes in terms of product durability, quality of service, and consumer satisfaction. To learn more about how your organization or program can leverage the Quality Assurance Standards or Framework, please contact qa@lightingglobal.org.