Solar Mini Grids: Strategies to Unleash their Potential

The transition toward inclusive and resilient energy systems requires more than expanding electricity access, it demands scalable, community-centred solutions capable of unlocking socio-economic development in underserved regions. Solar mini-grids have increasingly emerged as a critical decentralised energy solution, demonstrating measurable impact across rural and remote communities through improved energy access, agricultural mechanisation, enterprise development and enhanced participation of women in local economies.

Despite these demonstrated successes, the large-scale replication and long-term sustainability of solar mini-grid models remain constrained by fragmented policy frameworks, inconsistent regulatory support and varying socio-economic conditions across regions. In many cases, operational mini-grids have become financially unviable following the arrival of national grid infrastructure due to the absence of supportive mechanisms such as feed-in tariffs, compensation models and grid integration frameworks.

Hosted by the Centre for Science and Environment, this two-part webinar series will convene policymakers, researchers, development practitioners, energy experts and ecosystem stakeholders to critically examine the strategic, regulatory and implementation challenges facing decentralised solar energy systems.

Drawing insights from two recently published reports by CSE, the discussions will explore:

• Pathways for scaling decentralised renewable energy solutions sustainably
• Policy and regulatory reforms required to support solar mini-grid viability
• Lessons from cross-regional implementation experiences
• The role of decentralised energy in strengthening rural economies and climate resilience
• Strategies for moving beyond pilot successes toward systemic transformation

The webinar presents an important knowledge-sharing and networking opportunity for stakeholders working at the intersection of renewable energy, sustainable development, rural innovation and energy access across emerging economies.

Click HERE to register