While the presence of diesel-based technology such as generators is still common, especially in off grid areas, humanitarian and development actors alike are making extensive use of solar energy solutions in the provision of water to crisis affected populations and local communities. Thousands of camps, villages and towns have solar water schemes installed each year.

Water pumps, however, can only use a fraction of the energy provided by solar panels, leaving a sizeable amount of surplus solar energy unused, and therefore wasted.

In this market dialogue we discuss an innovative approach to support the shift to cleaner and more cost-efficient energy solutions, making use of wasted power capacity at thousands of solar powered water schemes, and taking advantage of existing budgets, management models and field engineering expertise.

Being able to make use of the full power capacity at existing and future solar powered water schemes, would not only help to meet critical energy needs (charge phones, light communities, power businesses and others) but also help for better care of water schemes, minimize water waste, and bring more options for better social engineering and financial sustainability.

See recording of sessions and download the presentations here.