The rise of renewable energy solutions, such as off-grid solar (OGS) systems, has been a game changer for many developing regions, providing clean, accessible energy to areas without reliable electricity grids. However, as these systems become more widespread, new challenges emerge, especially in the area of electronic waste (e-waste) management.

The concept of the circular economy (CE) is an alternative to the traditional linear “take, make, dispose” model of production and consumption. In a circular economy, the goal is to keep products, materials, and resources in use for as long as possible, extracting maximum value from them while minimizing waste. This concept promotes reducing resource consumption, reusing materials, refurbishing products, and recycling materials at the end of life.

Case study in Kakuma, Kenya

Kijani Testing, an independent lab and field testing company in Nairobi, has conducted market research in Kakuma town, North Kenya. 76 suppliers of off grid appliances were interviewed on their aftersales support and sale procedures. The key findings are:

• 43% did not offer any warranty terms or have a technician on standby in the event of a customer bringing in a failed product.
• 49% sell only components of a solar system. In component-based systems, individual components, such as the solar photovoltaic module, battery, lights, inverter, wiring, and appliances, are sourced and assembled independently by either a product aggregator or an individual for their own household, sometimes even piecemeal over a long period of time
• 91% suppliers do not do installations for their products
• 70% of suppliers sell unbranded products
• 75% of suppliers refer customers to freelance technician for technical services and 9% have no contacts for technical services

Kijani also analysed data that they collected from the 409 products they have interacted with in their service centres located in Kakuma and Kisumu. The analysed data is displayed below and highlights major causes of product failure and how customers react when their products fail.

Takeaways

From the data collected from the supplier case study above, it is observed that there are many suppliers that import unbranded products with the sole intention of selling. Aftersale support is often an afterthought with 91% of suppliers interviewed no offering installation services.

From the supplier data, it is no surprise that the data collected on customer experience shows the two biggest causes of product failure; poor installation and negligence and ignorance make up to 63% of the reasons products fail. If the customer is supposed to install their own products or find a freelance technician, it is sensible to have a high rate of failure due to lack of knowledge and poor installations.

The 2^nd data set focuses on how customers react when their products fail. From this we see only 14% of customers will dispose their products and the rest will attempt to fix them either by returning to suppliers, finding a local service or by doing it themselves. This shows that customers are keen on getting their products fixed and are willing to pay for this service.

Conclusion

The integration of repair and refurbishment services into the off-grid solar sector is a powerful tool for promoting sustainability and supporting the principles of the circular economy. While challenges such as inadequate recycling infrastructure, limited access to skilled labour, and the short lifespan of certain components remain, the potential benefits of repair and refurbishment are significant.

Here’s how they fit into the bigger picture:

1. Extending Battery Life – Batteries, particularly in off-grid solar systems, are often the first components to fail due to their limited lifespan. Repairing and refurbishing batteries can involve replacing individual cells or reconditioning the battery, thereby extending its use for several more years. In the case of lithium-ion batteries, for instance, some companies have developed methods to refurbish them by replacing degraded cells or recalibrating the battery management system.
2. Refurbishing Inverters and Charge Controllers – Inverters and charge controllers are critical for converting and managing the energy generated by the solar panels. These components can often be repaired or refurbished by replacing faulty parts like capacitors, fuses, or diodes. Instead of discarding an entire unit, refurbishment can restore these devices to full working condition.
3. Creating Local Job Opportunities – The repair and refurbishment sector offers opportunities for creating local jobs in the off-grid solar value chain. Technicians trained to repair and refurbish solar components can work in rural areas, providing much-needed services while helping reduce waste and extending the life of solar systems. Local repair shops can act as collection points for old or broken equipment, thus playing a vital role in e-waste management.
4. Reducing E-Waste and Environmental Impact – By repairing or refurbishing components rather than disposing of them, we can significantly reduce the amount of e-waste generated by off-grid solar systems. The refurbishment process conserves valuable materials, reduces pollution, and lowers the demand for new products, which requires energy-intensive manufacturing processes. This aligns with the circular economy’s goals of reducing waste and minimizing the consumption of new resources.