3 Consumer Protection and Quality Assurance Standards for household PV products are not well clarified and guidelines on how they should be interpreted are absent. The quality reputation of solar is mixed. The influx of low quality products and counterfeits is putting consumer protection and sustainable market development at risk. The Government of Sierra Leone will use International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) global quality standards (which incorporate Lighting Africa/Lighting Global standards) as the basis for duty-free/tax-free status. The Sierra Leone Bureau of Standards will officially adopt these standards. The Ministry of Energy will work with the newly formed Renewable Energy Association of Sierra Leone (REASL) as the representative of the private sector to: Establish a list of products, equipment and appliances that meet IEC global quality standards, including simplified registration and reporting procedures for companies to receive tax-free status. Determine what additional steps can be taken to further reduce low quality imports and reduce or eliminate counterfeit products from being imported. Determine what else REASL can do to support quality and distinguish their members from low quality products and counterfeits. This could include REASL adopting additional membership requirements, such as distributing and promoting only products that meet IEC standards, adopting minimum warranty periods and consumer-friendly warranty policies (free repair or replacement). 4 Consumer Awareness Awareness for solar products and home systems is low. Quality perception is mixed. Retailers and consumers have no way to judge quality or differentiate high quality products from low quality products. MoE and will work with relevant partners to develop a consumer education and awareness campaign to help develop the household solar category as a superior, affordable alternative. This will be coordinated with and ultimately part of a plan for Coordinated Support to the Market as outlined below. Coordinated Support The support which is necessary to accelerate the household solar market in Sierra Leone is in two halves, the support needed to implement the policy actions, as well as the support which the market players need in order to expand their activities and reach more consumers. Listed
and port officials to enable expedited “green lane” importation for qualifying products DFID to provide Technical Assistance to support and Ministry of Energy, if needed, with above 3 and Quality The Government of Sierra Leone will use International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) global quality standards (which incorporate Lighting Africa/Lighting Global standards) as the basis for duty-free/tax-free status. The Sierra Leone Bureau of Standards will officially adopt these standards. The Ministry of Energy will work with the newly formed Renewable Energy Association of Sierra Leone (REASL) as the representative of the private sector to: Establish a list of products, equipment and appliances that meet IEC global quality standards, including simplified registration and reporting procedures for solar companies to receive tax-free status. Determine what additional steps can be taken to further reduce low quality imports and reduce or eliminate counterfeit products from being imported. Determine what else REASL can do to support quality and distinguish their members from low quality products and counterfeits. This could include REASL adopting additional membership requirements, such as Implementation of import duty/GST laws does not require action by Sierra Bureau of Standards. Implementation Task Group to keep Bureau of Standards informed, and work with them to determine what steps are needed to “officially adopt” the new standards and define an appropriate role and Ministry of Energy to set up new registration and reporting procedures required of companies to qualify for “approved list” status REASL and cross-cutting ministries, departments and agencies to determine what actions can be taken to close loopholes and scope to implement REASL and Ministry of Energy to agree what else might be appropriate DFID to provide Technical Assistance to support REASL and Ministry of Energy, if needed, with above
for All and SOBA to set up matchmaking at April 2 and May 10 Energy Revolution events to develop 2016 pilots Follow up these events with trade missions between national and international firms and investors, encouraging co-operation. Implement through relevant partners as part of a private sector working to deliver Sierra Leone’s off-grid electrification targets DFID to provide Technical Assistance to support above, if needed 6 Number and Capacity of Private Sector Market Participants Three global, high quality products are present in Sierra Leone (d.light, Azuri and BBOX) but are distributed by small companies with limited distribution and financing capabilities Improved technical and business capacity within Sierra firms will be essential to expand the market and ensure local jobs and benefits are created Includes as a top priority in National Electrification Program attracting 2-3 targeted new companies in key market segments for All to support REASL and Ministry of Energy in attracting private sector companies SOBA to provide Technical Assistance for capacity building support to firms and developers, and support local skills development and training initiatives. 7 Availability of Financing Access to finance is critical but very limited; currency fluctuations pose a high risk for companies; high interest rates at commercial banks prohibit access to local finance Provide increased access to financing to participating in the National Off-Grid Electrification Program via a focused pilot program in Sierra Leone to support consumer lending and company working capital needs, including support on currency issues, as illustrated in National Off-Grid Electrification Program SOBA to support pilot development, and general company-level “finance readiness”