Solar Energy: A Revolutionary Force in Women’s Empowerment

• Solar energy is a transformative force in electricity generation, empowering women as change agents.
• Solar energy can be harnessed directly at its point of use – in homes, a shift from traditional sources like coal, oil, gas, nuclear, and hydropower.
• Decentralisation of power generation has significant implications for environmental sustainability and societal structures.
• Solar addresses poor energy access, boosting women’s income and reducing CO2 emissions.
• Initiatives like the Barefoot College, the Grameen Shakti, and Solar Sister empower women to become solar engineers, improving community health and safety.
• Solar employs more women than any other energy sector, providing jobs to around 4.9 million people in 2022.
• Solar uplifts marginalised communities, driving climate resilience and supporting economic development in rural regions.
• Challenges persist in solar technology, including geographical imbalance, sectoral imbalance, and manufacturing concentration.
• The challenge at home level is to ensure easy availability and affordability of solar, requiring robust government and market support.
• A robust framework should focus on the life cycle of solar technologies, focusing on recycling and circularity to manage waste.
• Policies and gender are crucial for a just energy transition, positioning women as pivotal change agents and re-evaluating energy policies through a gender lens.
• Integrating electrification initiatives with sectors like agriculture, forestry, and rural development can foster a more inclusive energy economy.