Africaâs solar revolution has transformed life, providing off-grid communities with affordable and safe energy. Since 2014, solar capacity on the continent has surged, but as devices age, many have broken down. A 2023 SolarAid report found that 75% of solar products in sub-Saharan Africa no longer function, leading to a crisis in repairs.
To address this, SolarAid has trained individuals like Father Vincent Ngwira in Zambia to repair these devices. Ngwira, who became a ârepair agent,â now helps fix solar lights and panels, making repairs affordable and creating local jobs. In 2023 and 2024, SolarAid repaired 2,422 devices in Zambia and Malawi.
Despite challenges like limited spare parts and the complexity of importing components, the initiative has reduced electronic waste, extended product lifespans, and boosted local economies. Experts see Africaâs approach to solar repair as a model for the Global North, where a throwaway culture persists. SolarAidâs work aligns with the UNâs goal to provide sustainable energy for all by 2030, showing that a circular economy for solar devices is not only possible but necessary.
Photo: (c) Unsplash.com/Justin Lim
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/solar-device-repair-africa/
