Improving inclusivity is crucial to achieving a just energy transition and maximising energy access gains, especially for vulnerable groups like women, people with disabilities and low-income households. CLASP through Efficiency for Access published a first-of-its-kind report which includes a meta-analysis of 19 household surveys spanning 5,483 solar lighting and appliance customers in eight countries and self-reported company data for nine solar product manufacturers and distributors. It is a first step towards establishing a baseline to understand how well the sector is performing across different dimensions of equity and inclusion, including:

• An understanding of the ‘typical solar product user’
• An assessment of how well the sector is reaching women, people living in poverty, and people with disabilities
• Analysis of gender gaps in hiring and compensation among private sector companies and the diversity of product expertise and offering

The report concludes with recommendations for donors, market development programs, investors, and private sector companies on improving data collection efforts and better integrating diversity, equity and inclusion principles into their work.

Download the Appliances for All: Assessing the Inclusivity of the Solar Lighting and Appliances Sector report.

About Efficiency for Access

Efficiency for Access is a global coalition working to promote renewable and energy efficient appliances to deliver clean energy to the world’s poorest people. It is coordinated jointly by CLASP and the UK’s Energy Saving Trust.