On July 31 – August 1, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the Clean Energy Ministerial’s Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (Global LEAP) Initiative and the Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) will host an Off-Grid Industry Networking Event.

This event will bring together off-grid solar market leaders and manufacturers of super-efficient, high-quality off-grid appliances – including winners and finalists of the inaugural Global LEAP Outstanding Off-Grid Appliance Awards – to accelerate the growth of off-grid markets in Bangladesh and across the globe.

The global off-grid appliance and solar home system (SHS) market is growing rapidly, and is transforming the lives of millions of un- and under-electrified people throughout the developing world. In Bangladesh – the world’s largest and most dynamic SHS market – dozens of SHS companies have sold more than three million SHS/appliance bundles over the past decade.

Quality-assured, super-efficient off-grid appliances, like those identified by the Global LEAP Awards, offer the modern energy services demanded by off-grid consumers while inspiring and sustaining demand for off-grid clean energy systems.

Super-efficient appliances use dramatically less energy and reduce the size – and cost – of the SHSs needed to provide service, thereby unlocking vast new market segments. In fact, emerging research shows that super-efficient off-grid appliances can reduce the price of SHSs by up to 50%.1

Off-grid clean energy companies and appliance manufacturers attending the Global LEAP Off-Grid Industry Networking Event can meet one another, discuss business opportunities, and explore ways to partner in the rapidly growing off-grid market. The event will feature the round-robin networking structure of the highly successful business-to-business Global LEAP “Plugfest” held at the 5th Clean Energy Ministerial in Seoul, in May 2014.

Representatives from M-KOPA and Sola Home Appliances meet at the first Global LEAP “Plugfest” networking event, in Seoul, Korea, in May 2014 (Photograph courtesy of IISD/Earth Negotiation Bulletin)

Appliance manufacturers, SHS companies, mini- or micro-grid developers, and other clean energy access stakeholders are invited to attend. Please see below for registration details.

1 A. Phadke, A. Jacobson, W. Y. Park et al., Powering a Home with Just 25 Watts of Solar PV: Super-Efficient Appliances Can Enable Expanded Energy Access Using Off-Grid Solar Power Systems, forthcoming.