Post by Adewoye Oluwadara Victor (GMNSE, PMP)

Part 2: The Hidden Challenge Behind Africa’s Solar Revolution While working with rural women farmers, I began to see a side of the renewable energy conversation that we rarely discuss. Many development projects, NGOs, and government programmes are investing in solar-powered irrigation systems and other solar technologies to improve agricultural productivity and climate resilience. These interventions are making a real difference. But what happens when these systems stop working? Beyond larger installations, many organisations also distribute solar lanterns, solar power banks, solar touch lights, solar home kits, and other small solar devices to support households and livelihoods. While valuable, many of these products are often not designed for easy repair and can fail earlier than expected due to poor-quality components, battery degradation, exposure to heat and moisture, rough handling, lack of maintenance, or the absence of spare parts. When they stop working, users are often left with limited options. During our work with women farmers, I realized that access to solar technology alone is not enough. Sustainability requires something more. We need to start asking: 🔹 Is there a maintenance plan after installation? 🔹 Are local technicians available and trained? 🔹 Can damaged components be repaired, refurbished, or reused? 🔹 Who is responsible when a system fails? 🔹 Are projects budgeting for maintenance and replacement, not just procurement? Too often, success is measured by the number of solar systems distributed rather than how many remain functional years later. The real impact of renewable energy is not installation. It is long-term functionality, accessibility, and resilience. In Part 3, I’ll share practical solutions that governments, NGOs, donors, and private-sector actors can implement to prevent today’s clean energy investments from becoming tomorrow’s e-waste challenge. #RenewableEnergy #SolarEnergy #ClimateAction #ClimateResilience #WomenFarmers #Agriculture #Sustainability #EWaste #CircularEconomy #ClimateJustice #Africa #Nigeria #Development #EnergyTransition #GreenJobs