The off-grid appliance space, especially for larger productive use appliances, has not caught up with the conventional on-grid market. However, advancements, such as reduced prices of solar power modules, have led to new and more powerful solar-powered appliances becoming more widely available. But as these appliances enter new markets, asset owners, investors, companies, donors, researchers and industry support organisations must evaluate and compare product performance and impact. Efforts to bridge the existing information gaps include:

• Monitoring energy production
• Measuring energy utilisation by connected electrical products
• Monitoring the delivered service to quantify the impact of the products.

It is becoming common practice to assess the technical performance of off-grid appliances through laboratory testing programs like VeraSol and the Global LEAP Awards. Lab testing, however, has limitations in determining the full spectrum of product performance, especially where user interaction is a significant factor. To address this, remote monitoring systems can evaluate the long-term performance of off-grid appliances in the field as consumers use and interact with products. This report details beta testing of remote monitoring solutions to gather data on solar refrigerators, solar water pumps and solar milking machines usage and optimise product performance.

Key takeaways include:

• Beta testing is essential for a smooth monitoring process and ensures that the data collected meets the required accuracy and utility conditions
• A one-size-fits-all monitoring solution is not suitable for appliances with different testing needs and complexity; therefore, field testing monitoring solutions will require customisation
• Understanding the network providers’ landscape in the target countries is crucial in developing an adaptable solution that can work even in areas with poor connectivity

Download the Evaluating Appliance Performance in the Field: Results from Remote Monitoring Solutions Beta Testing report to learn more.

About Efficiency for Access

Efficiency for Access is a global coalition working to promote renewable and energy efficient appliances to deliver clean energy to the world’s poorest people. It is coordinated jointly by CLASP and the UK’s Energy Saving Trust.

Independent, Trusted, Third-Party Data

The VeraSol Product Database is a freely available digital tool that:

• Makes it easy to identify and compare off-grid solar solutions by consolidating information for solar energy kits and off-grid appliances on a single platform
• Enables manufacturers to increase the visibility of their products with distributors and development partners through standardized and searchable product listings
• Allows for easy product benchmarking on performance and quality that can drive market competition and innovation

All products in the database have undergone rigorous testing according to international standards by approved test laboratories. All listed pico-solar products and solar home system kits are certified to the leading international quality standards.