Recording of Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | The smarter E Europe | Conference Program | Language: English | Duration: 11:58 .
Eavion is a conglomerate offering specialized consulting, EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), and O&M (Operations & Maintenance) services across the renewable energy sector. The company focuses on addressing affordability trends in off-grid solutions within Namibia—a scenario that also applies to broader African markets. In many cases, off-grid systems have reached cost parity or even become cheaper than traditional grid supply, thanks to declining battery costs and high solar irradiance levels. However, challenges remain across different sectors: commercial and industrial (C&I), residential, and rural communities. Feasibility studies show promising cost reductions for large-scale projects—for example, mines are now opting for 200 MW off-grid systems instead of traditional utility supply. Residential setups can see rapid returns on investment, often within six years, due to favorable solar conditions. In rural areas where the grid is often kilometers away, the economic viability of PV installations becomes clear, despite higher installation complexity compared to grid-tied systems. Innovative financing strategies are essential, as conventional methods often fall short of international best practices. Smaller project sizes present unique hurdles and require tailored approaches, such as mini-grids or microgrid solutions utilizing second-life EV batteries. Entrepreneurial initiatives have successfully emerged, leveraging container-based solar setups to provide essential community services. These projects also generate income through tourism-driven ventures such as Rural Revive, which supports local economies by integrating sustainable power solutions into business models. Collaborative funding efforts between entrepreneurs and financiers help ensure long-term project sustainability. In addition, carbon credit schemes enhance overall market accessibility amidst evolving regulatory landscapes that are globally impacting Africa’s transition to affordable clean energy. Notable Namibian IPP-led projects—including Pyronam Biochar, Steam BioAfrica, Refresh Market Garden, and Rashpina Solar Plant—are all contributing significantly to regional electrification goals. These efforts foster sustainable socio-economic development and help shape resilient, future-ready ecosystems across the continent.
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Jean Basson
Managing Director
eavion
Photovoltaic prices have fallen continuously in recent years - a trend that should translate into a growing market for off-grid solutions. Declining costs are crucial for rural electrification in particular, making sustainable energy supply economically viable in remote regions. However, so far many of these price advantages have not yet reached the people that need them most. Do existing framework conditions to foster rural electrification still work in this new market reality? Which measures are needed to ensure that cost reductions reach our target group? This session discusses strategies for improving the availability of low-cost off-grid solutions, financing and innovative business models. A look at successful practical examples shows which political, economic and technological levers need to be pulled to make off-grid PV accessible on a large scale.
Further Talks of this session:
Speaker
Lea Dunst
International Project Manager
BSW - German Solar Association
Germany
Speaker
Benjamin Knödler
Head of Private Sector Engagement
BMZ - Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
Germany
Speaker
Rethabile Melamu
CEO
South African Photovoltaic Industry Association
South Africa
Speakers
David Wedepohl
Managing Director International Affairs
BSW - German Solar Association
Germany
Rethabile Melamu
CEO
South African Photovoltaic Industry Association
South Africa
Video is not available.
Speaker
Lea Dunst
International Project Manager
BSW - German Solar Association
Germany
Video is not available.