VeraSol Advisory Services for Governments
This document explains the specific measures governments can take to promote quality products and how Efficiency for Access and VeraSol can support those actions.
VeraSol supports governments and large institutions in the development, adoption, and implementation of standards and policies for off-grid solar solutions.
VeraSol helps governments and larger institutions leverage quality assurance for consumer protection and market transformation through policy support and technical assistance.
VeraSol maintains the most widely recognized quality assurance framework for pico-solar products and solar home system kits in the world. Our rigorous test methods and quality standards have been adopted by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), a leading international standards organization. Governments around the world use this framework as the basis for tax and duty polices, voluntary market stimulation programs, and regulations to protect consumers from poor-quality products.
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Around the world, governments are embracing standalone solar systems to meet universal electrification targets. However, the quality and durability of many of the products available on the market today threaten the ability of off-grid solar solutions to deliver meaningful impacts. In fact, the majority of solar products sold today do not meet international quality standards, leaving customers vulnerable to the risks of unreliable products.
Quality standards work to support sustainable market growth and ensure that customers have access to reliable off-grid energy services. By adopting harmonized standards for off-grid energy solutions, governments can foster the rapid diffusion of innovative new products, minimize design and compliance costs for manufacturers, and protect consumers through improved product quality.
VeraSol provides direct support to governments looking to protect consumers by blocking or discouraging the entry of poor quality products onto the market. We work hand-in-hand with policymakers on the adoption and implementation of harmonized international standards, as both mandatory and voluntary measures.
As of early 2020, four countries—Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, and Tanzania—had harmonized their national standards for pico-solar products with our quality standards and the test methods specified in IEC TS 62257-9-5. An additional 31 countries—including Nigeria, Pakistan, and the ECOWAS states of West Africa—are exploring or are in the process of adopting standards for pico-solar products.
Drawing from years of experience and best practice, high-quality technical assistance from VeraSol actively supports governments and programs working to design effective policy solutions and initiatives for off-grid solar solutions.
If you are a policymaker, government official, or a representative from a large institution in need of technical assistance please contact us.
VeraSol maintains a growing collection of resources for policymakers and practitioners. Learn more about the benefits of utilizing a harmonized framework for evaluating pico-solar products and SHS kits and the international standards that underpin it.
This document explains the specific measures governments can take to promote quality products and how Efficiency for Access and VeraSol can support those actions.
This Technical Note considers the benefits of harmonization for important stakeholder groups and reviews the basic structure and philosophy of VeraSol’s quality assurance framework.
This Technical Note summarizes the transition from the Lighting Global Quality Standards to the IEC standards and outlines important considerations for governments and other institutions.
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