Added bonus: How rooftop solar could add to women's income, empowerment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Pradhan Mantri Suryoday Yojana (PMSY) in January 2024, to provide rooftop solar power systems to 1 crore households. (Image credit: Sadi Gökpınar via Pexels)

With the global push towards renewable energy solutions, rooftop solar has emerged as a promising avenue for sustainable energy generation. Beyond its environmental benefits, rooftop solar holds the potential to catalyze women's empowerment, offering economic opportunities, access to clean energy, and avenues for skill development and leadership. The push for rooftop solar is not just about harnessing clean energy; it is about breaking barriers and enabling women to rise as agents of change in their communities. Recently, the Pradhan Mantri Suryoday Yojana (PMSY) was announced to provide rooftop solar (RTS) power systems (it has already registered more than 1 crore households as of March 2024), helping lower and middle-income households reduce their electricity bills.

Economic empowerment

Data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reveals that women constitute just 32 percent of the renewable energy workforce, highlighting an underutilised potential for their involvement in the sector. The emergence of rooftop solar offers a pathway for them to achieve financial autonomy by engaging in the renewable energy industry, either through employment in solar firms or by pursuing entrepreneurial endeavours.

Within the domain of rooftop solar, numerous avenues for entrepreneurship exist for women, ranging from solar panel installation and upkeep to establishing solar-based enterprises and facilitating financing solutions. Solar grannies and solar mamas [1] are some successful initiatives where rural women are being trained as solar engineers to bring power and light to their villages.

Access to clean energy

In numerous areas, women bear a disproportionate burden of energy poverty, lacking dependable electricity access crucial for household tasks, education, and income-generating endeavours. Research from global entities like the World Bank highlights that clean energy accessibility notably enhances women's health, education, and economic prospects, thereby aiding poverty alleviation and promoting gender parity [2]. Rooftop solar offers a reliable energy source, bolstering women's productivity and efficiency while facilitating their entrepreneurial aspirations.

Skills development and training

Ensuring women's active engagement and leadership in the solar energy domain necessitates substantial investment in their skill development and training. Collaborations among governments, philanthropic organisations, and private sector entities become paramount in delivering technical training, vocational education, and capacity-building initiatives tailored specifically for women interested in pursuing careers in solar technology and entrepreneurship. Such partnerships serve as a vital platform for empowering women with the necessary knowledge and expertise to thrive in the solar energy sector, ultimately fostering greater gender equality and economic empowerment.

Community engagement and leadership

Women can wield significant influence in promoting the uptake of rooftop solar within communities, championing clean energy initiatives. Instances abound of women assuming leadership roles in community-centric solar projects, ranging from managing solar microgrids through women's cooperatives to spearheading awareness campaigns on solar energy. It's imperative to underscore the importance of inclusive energy planning procedures that actively involve women, to ensure that solar projects effectively cater to the diverse requirements of communities and foster greater inclusivity and sustainability.

Policy and advocacy

Favourable policy frameworks and regulatory incentives can play a crucial role in developing an ecosystem for women's engagement and leadership within the rooftop solar sector. It is imperative to advocate for gender-responsive energy policies that prioritise women's access to finance, training, and entrepreneurial prospects. When formulating energy sector policies, it's essential to remain mindful of women's interests and aspirations, ensuring inclusivity and empowerment. Examples of effective policy interventions include implementing gender quotas in renewable energy projects and establishing targeted financing mechanisms tailored for women-led solar enterprises.

Conclusion

Rooftop solar has the potential to unlock economic opportunities, improve energy access, and empower women worldwide. By harnessing rooftop solar power, policymakers, businesses, and civil society can contribute to women's economic independence, energy security, and sustainable development. It's time to prioritise women's empowerment in the renewable energy transition, ensuring that no one is left behind on the path towards a clean and inclusive energy future.

[1] The women of India’s Barefoot College bring light to remote villages

[2] Getting to Gender Equality in Energy Infrastructure