Context: Today, apart from solar energy being the major factor in the climate patterns, it is also a transformative, democratising force in electricity generation. Distinct from traditional sources of energy which require extensive infrastructure and intermediary transmission lines, solar energy can now be harnessed directly at its point of use in homes. It is now a home product.
Solar energy is empowering women
- Environmental sustainability and societal structures: Decentralized solar energy enables individuals and communities to generate power locally, significantly benefiting environmental sustainability and societal structures.
- It economically empowers marginalized groups, especially women, who often face limited access to energy.
- Examples include women salt farmers in Gujarat who shifted from diesel to solar pumps, increasing income and reducing emissions.
- Financial inclusion and job creation: Solar energy contributes to financial inclusion and community development by integrating women across the solar value chain.
- In 2022, solar employed around 4.9 million people globally, 40% of whom were women. India’s renewable goals aim to create an additional three million jobs by 2030, enhancing opportunities for women and supporting societal progress.
- Health and safety: Traditional biomass for cooking exposes women to harmful indoor air pollution. Solar-powered cookers and clean energy solutions reduce health hazards.
- High education attainment: With reliable lighting, children, especially girls often tasked with daytime chores, can study in the evenings, boosting their educational attainment.
- Social entrepreneurship: Solar initiatives encourage women to become solar entrepreneurs and ambassadors within their communities. Organizations like Solar Sister train women to sell solar products, providing income and fostering leadership.
- Reduced labour: Access to solar-powered water pumps, mills, and other machinery reduces time spent on manual labour, enables women to dedicate more time to education, self-improvement, and income-generating activities.
Despite its benefits, the solar industry faces challenges, including geographical imbalances (with investments concentrated in developed nations), sectoral imbalances (large-scale farms over small applications), and manufacturing concentration.
To ensure sustainability, the solar industry must prioritize recycling and waste management for solar materials. Establishing clear producer guidelines, fostering government collaboration, and exploring mobile recycling plants can enhance environmental health in the sector.
The need for a just energy transition necessitates gender-sensitive policies that integrate energy access with sectors like agriculture and rural development. Such inclusivity helps dismantle barriers disproportionately affecting women, promoting a sustainable and equitable energy economy.
Initiatives such as the Barefoot College (India), the Grameen Shakti (Bangladesh), and Solar Sister (Africa) empower women to become solar engineers, benefiting millions and improving community health and safety. For example, We Care Solar’s suitcases reduced perinatal deaths by 72% in Uganda’s health centres.