Decentralised solar PV: A gender perspective

Table of Contents

• List of figures 4
• List of tables 4
• List of boxes 4
• Abbreviations 5
• High lights 6
• Introduction 8
• Jobs skills and the role of women in the workforce 10
• Decentralised solar PV is the most widespread technology used for offgrid energy generation. 11
• DRE generates jobs and business opportunities in remote and rural areas. 11
• Off-grid PV systems typically require significantly more labour than utility- scale plants. 15
• Employment in DRE is primarily community- focused with skills in sales installation maintenance and repair rather than large-scale manufacturing or construction. 16
• Women comprise of the workforce in Africas solar PV sector. 17
• Women hold only 18 of management roles and 15 of senior management positions. 18
• The barriers women face in participating in solar PV range from unequal access to training and skills development to social norms and cultural expectations. 19
• Decentralised solar PV systems are revolutionising the entrepreneurial landscape in underserved and remote areas. 20
• Barriers to womens employment in the decentralised solar PV sector 22
• Barriers to female employment in the decentralised solar PV and the wider DRE sector are manifold. 23
• Cultural and social norms may dictate rigid gender roles and expectations constraining womens opportunities within the DRE sector. 24
• Shaped by societal and cultural biases another relevant barrier women face is their own perceptions of their capabilities and skills. 25
• Women have fewer opportunities to access information about DRE jobs owing to gender disparities in networking and other factors. 27
• Customers frequently direct their inquiries to men despite the woman being the engineer on the team. 29
• Unequal access to finance and assets like land represents a significant barrier to women entrepreneurs. 32
• DRE solutions address energy poverty and enhance climate resilience while creating substantial socio-economic opportunities for both men and women. 41
• Tailored training industry collaboration and financial support are essential to empower women with the skills needed to succeed in the decentralised solar PV sector. 43
• STEM education reforms are essential to increase womens access to opportunities and challenge restrictive societal expectations. 44
• Initiatives offering economic opportunities skills development and mentorship to bridge gender gaps in renewable energy are key. 46