Achieving SDG 7, which aims to ensure universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, requires more than just deploying infrastructure. It also depends on empowering consumers of renewable energy solutions—particularly those involved in Productive Uses of Energy (PUE)—to maintain and repair their systems effectively. A vital policy approach to facilitate this is establishing regulations that support the ‘Right to Repair’.

Why Are Repair Regulations Critical for Consumers?

For many low-income households and small-scale entrepreneurs, energy solutions like solar water pumps, lighting, and refrigeration are essential for daily activities. When these systems malfunction due to weather conditions, wear and tear, or manufacturing faults, many consumers lack the affordable options to carry out repairs. This often results in premature system disposal, increased costs incurred by acquiring a new system, and limited productivity during downtime.

Regulations that compel manufacturers to make repair information, manuals, and spare parts openly available can empower consumers and local technicians. When repair knowledge is accessible, users can undertake simple fixes—such as replacing batteries, fixing wiring, or cleaning panels—saving costs and maintaining system reliability. This decentralization of repair knowledge fosters local entrepreneurial opportunities, increases system longevity, and promotes community resilience.

How Regulations Accelerate Adoption and Sustainability

Currently, many manufacturers restrict access to repair data, limiting repair options and prolonging device downtime. Implementing policies that mandate free sharing of repair information can:

• Enable consumers and local technicians to perform cost-effective, timely repairs, reducing dependence on expensive external services.
• Foster the growth of local repair networks, creating jobs and building technical skills within communities.
• Extend the lifespan of renewable energy appliances, significantly reducing electronic waste and supporting SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production.
• Lower maintenance costs, making clean energy solutions more affordable and attractive, particularly for underserved populations.

For service providers and organizations involved in installation, maintenance, and testing, like Kijani Testing, the support of repair-friendly regulations creates opportunities to develop sustainable repair ecosystems, train local technicians, and deliver affordable after-sales services. These efforts increase system uptime, build consumer confidence, and facilitate the broader deployment of clean energy solutions aligned with SDG 7.

Promoting the Right to Repair through supportive regulations should align with national energy objectives and global commitments. It empowers communities, reduces environmental impact from e-waste, and ensures that marginalized groups—especially women and youth—can maintain their systems independently, fostering inclusive and resilient energy access. To this end, it is important for the energy ministries through parastatals like the Energy Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) in the case of Kenya or their equivalents in respective countries to set policies that promote transparency, standards, and capacity-building, creating an enabling environment for repair-friendly regulations. These institutions can facilitate market development, ensure product durability, and integrate repairability into national energy frameworks, fostering resilient, inclusive, and environmentally responsible energy systems that empower communities and support SDG 7.

A coordinated effort among PUE stakeholders should focus on implementing regulations that guarantee the right to repair, serving as a practical and impactful approach to sustainable energy growth. These policies empower consumers, stimulate local repair markets, lower costs, and contribute to achieving SDG 7—building resilient, inclusive, and environmentally sustainable energy systems for the future.