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Towards a repair research agenda for off-grid solar e-waste in the Global South

Author

Listed:
  • Paul G. Munro

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Shanil Samarakoon

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Ulrich E. Hansen

    (Technical University of Denmark)

  • Matthew Kearnes

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Anna Bruce

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Jamie Cross

    (University of Edinburgh)

  • Sarah Walker

    (University of New South Wales)

  • Collen Zalengera

    (Mzuzu University)

Abstract

There has been a boom in the sale of small-scale off-grid solar products across the Global South over the past decade. A substantial portion of this boom has been driven by international investment in off-grid solar start-up companies, and a formalized off-grid solar sector has been established, with the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association acting as a key representative body. Although this boom has aided in extending electricity access to many energy-poor households and businesses, an emerging concern is the short (three to four years) working life that these off-grid solar products typically have. This has led to a growing issue of solar e-waste. Here we examine how the structure of the off-grid solar sector results in substantial barriers to addressing solar e-waste in the Global South. We consider how practices of repair might contribute to addressing the issue, and set out a research agenda to facilitate new approaches to the issues of solar e-waste.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul G. Munro & Shanil Samarakoon & Ulrich E. Hansen & Matthew Kearnes & Anna Bruce & Jamie Cross & Sarah Walker & Collen Zalengera, 2023. "Towards a repair research agenda for off-grid solar e-waste in the Global South," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(2), pages 123-128, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:8:y:2023:i:2:d:10.1038_s41560-022-01103-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-022-01103-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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