Recording of Wednesday, May 07, 2025 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2025 | 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 applicable to broader African markets. Despite reaching parity points where off-grid systems become cheaper than traditional grid supplies due to decreasing battery costs and high irradiance levels, challenges persist in different sectors: CNI (Commercial & Industrial), residential, and rural spaces. While feasibility studies show promising cost reductions for large-scale projects like mines opting for 200 MW off-grid systems over utility supply, residential setups benefit from rapid ROI under six years owing to favorable solar conditions. In rural areas with limited access to grids—often kilometers away—the economic viability of PV installations becomes apparent despite higher installation complexities compared to grid-tied systems. Innovative financing strategies are crucial as conventional methods lag behind international standards; smaller ticket sizes pose unique hurdles demanding tailored approaches based on specific needs such as mini-grids or micro-technologies using Second Life EV batteries. Entrepreneurial initiatives have emerged successfully leveraging container-based solar setups providing essential community services while generating income through tourism-driven ventures like Rural Revive which supports local economies by integrating sustainable power solutions into business models supported via collaborative funding efforts among entrepreneurs/financiers ensuring long-term project sustainability alongside carbon credit schemes enhancing overall market accessibility amidst evolving regulatory landscapes globally impacting Africa's transition towards affordable clean energy pathways exemplified further through notable Namibian IPP-led endeavors including Pyronam biochar Steam BioAfrica Refresh Market Garden Rashpina Solar Plant—all contributing significantly toward regional electrification goals fostering socio-economic upliftment sustainably aligned future-ready paradigms shaping tomorrow’s resilient ecosystems today!
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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.