Country Overview
- Malawi is a landlocked Southern African nation bordered by Tanzania, Zambia, and Mozambique.
- Population – 21 million
- Electrification – 14% through the national grid (largely in urban centres), and approx. 15-20% through off-grid solar.
- Energy policy – The market-based distribution of solar home systems is a key strategy to address widespread energy poverty, especially in rural areas. A range of subsidy programs such as the Ngwe Ngwe Ngwe scheme are emblematic of these efforts.
Solar Repair and E-Waste in Malawi
- We have been conducting research on off-grid solar repair and e-waste in Malawi since 2019. Below is a mini-documentary that highlights some of the challenges posed by the growing adoption of off-grid solar products.
Research on Off-grid Repair
- This research on off-grid solar repair in Malawi is part of a 2024 Australian Research Council Linkage Project.
- Zuwa Energy, a local solar home system distributor, is a key project partner with a keen interest in improving its repair operations.
- Our work will involve supporting, monitoring and assessing their efforts to decentralise their repair services to better reach their customers across Malawi e.g. by training 3rd party technicians.
- It will also include manufacturer-supported initiatives such as the refurbishment of lithium-ion batteries to extend the lifespan of solar home systems.
- Our research will extend to mapping the stakeholder and policy landscape as it relates to off-grid solar repair in Malawi.
- This project will explore opportunities to facilitate knowledge exchanges between organisations engaged in repair e.g. Solar Aid’s work in Zambia.
Progress
- We have completed initial research on the experiences of Zuwa Energy’s customers with repair and disposal.
- The next phase will involve trialling in-community “Repair Days” and training 3rd party technicians to repair Zuwa products.
