Solar, a game changer in women’s empowerment

Context

Solar energy’s evolution towards decentralisation empowers society by enabling local energy generation, fostering economic inclusion, particularly for women and marginalised communities, while supporting sustainable, community-driven growth and resilience.

Background

• In 1884, Charles Fritts installed the first rooftop solar array, using simple, low-efficiency cells.
• Today, solar energy has evolved beyond powering natural processes like photosynthesis.
• It’s become a powerful tool for generating electricity directly in people’s homes, unlike traditional sources such as coal, oil, or nuclear power, which rely on large power plants and transmission lines.
• Solar energy allows electricity to be generated right where it’s needed, reducing reliance on central power sources.
• This shift brings benefits that go beyond convenience.
• It empowers individuals and communities, making them active participants in the energy economy.
• This has a significant social impact, especially for women and marginalised communities, who often face the greatest challenges due to limited access to energy.

Impact of Decentralization of Solar Energy

• Empowerment and Economic Inclusion: Solar decentralisation places energy production in the hands of individuals and communities, empowering them socially, economically, and developmentally.
  • It boosts women’s participation in the economy.
    • Example: Women salt farmers in Gujarat’s Little Rann of Kutch increased their income by 94% and reduced CO₂ emissions by up to 1,15,000 metric tons annually by switching to solar pumps.
  • Advancing Women’s Financial Inclusion: Solar employs more women than any other energy sector, with women making up 40% of the solar photovoltaic workforce as of 2022.
    • Solar projects such as Barefoot College (India) and Solar Sister (Africa) train women as solar engineers, enhancing income potential and improving health and safety.
  • Economic Upliftment of Marginalised Communities: Decentralised solar alleviates the “resource curse” seen in coal regions, supporting sustainable development without the adverse environmental impacts.
    • It provides clean energy to off-grid areas, stimulating local economies and creating climate resilience through distributed power generation.

Challenges Facing Solar Energy Adoption

• Geographical Imbalance: Most solar investments are concentrated in developed nations, while developing countries, especially in Africa, lag due to limited funding and support.
• Sectoral Imbalance: Large-scale solar farms attract the majority of investment, leaving smaller but impactful applications like solar pumps and cold storage overlooked.
• Manufacturing Concentration and Supply Chain Issues: Reliance on two primary manufacturing countries for solar components disrupts supply chains and raises prices, a challenge expected to grow with rising demand.
• Recycling and Waste Management: Solar panels and batteries create waste management challenges. Without established recycling and circularity measures, these materials risk adding to environmental waste.
  • Effective recycling guidelines, producer responsibility, and mobile recycling solutions are needed to address the life cycle of solar technologies.

Recommendations for a Just Energy Transition

• Policy Integration and Gender-Inclusive Approach: A gender-sensitive lens in energy policies is crucial for inclusivity, positioning women not only as beneficiaries but as agents of change.
  • Integrating electrification initiatives with agriculture, rural development, and other sectors ensures that energy access addresses the needs of all community members, particularly women.
• Focus on Recycling and Circular Economy: Develop clear waste management guidelines for solar technologies, ensuring their environmental footprint remains low.
  • Encourage producer responsibility and end-of-life management collaboration, which will foster efficient recycling and enhance sector sustainability.
• Support Localised Solutions and Smaller-Scale Projects: Prioritise funding for community-oriented solar solutions like solar pumps, rooftop installations, and cold storages to meet rural and small-scale energy needs.
  • Strengthen government and market mechanisms to make home-level solar solutions more accessible and affordable, supporting widespread adoption.
• Enhance Community Engagement: Formal organisations (e.g., self-help groups, farmer-producer organisations) and rural energy committees are instrumental in planning, installing, and maintaining mini-grids, ensuring comprehensive energy access.

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