PULSE appliances are increasingly available in Africa markets, driven by early-stage firms that develop off-grid technology and the specialist solar distributors that help them reach customers.
The estimate of over 100 firms developing PULSE technology for the African market and hundreds more distributing solar products. These products increasingly fall within small-scale applications of 1 KW or below.
The most common PULSE appliances in the market are water pumps and refrigerators using DC solar power. However, sales penetration remains low.
Leading firms report solar water pumps sales of fewer than 5,000 units and DC refrigerators sales of fewer than 1,000 units. Agro processing units are still in the pilot stage.
Currently, early stage firms lead the market. These firms are innovating around technologies to ensure products are off-grid appropriate and affordable. And they are adapting their business models to also ensure products can reach those who need them.
Large international manufacturers are starting to view the off-grid market as viable, as demonstrated by the initiatives of Lorentz (water pumps) and Embraco (refrigerators) to launch smaller-sized DC products.
Solar home systems firms see the potential in PULSE appliances to drive sales and deepen customer value, however they must adapt their business models for more expensive and complex products.