- Published by
- Business Innovation Facility (BIF)
Pico Solar Products (PSPs) are defined as products with up to 5 watt peak (Wp) capacity that provide basic lighting and / or mobile phone charging that are affordable for the poor (typically $10 - $30). These products offer significant health, education and economic benefits to users. The PSP market in Malawi is growing rapidly, yet the market is still in it’s infancy; consumer awareness and demand is low, and businesses have limited distribution chains. Furthermore, government is yet to respond to the new technologies with bespoke policies and regulations.
A comprehensive Market Analysis and Strategy (MAS) found that a lack of trust by consumers in PSP technology was a constraint to growth in the market. Initial research indicated that the lack of trust was caused by the prevalence of low quality PSPs on the market and this report seeks to investigate this assertion and inform the BIF market strategy. This report therefore investigates the “grey market”, i.e. the market for PSPs that have not met national or international product quality standards. It attempts to quantify the scale and performance of the grey market vis-à-vis the quality assured products (the “white market”).
The Business Innovation Facility (BIF) is a DFID funded programme that helps the development and uptake of inclusive business models by companies in developing countries.