Unlocking Clean Cooking: Business and Financing Models for PV-Supported Solutions
The global push for cleaner and more sustainable cooking methods is a noble endeavor, but it's a challenging one, especially in reaching the last mile communities. While there's a plethora of innovative technologies available, such as pure electric cooking (eCooking) powered by photovoltaic systems (solar PV) and PV-supported biomass gasifier stoves, their widespread adoption remains elusive. The primary hurdles include high upfront costs and a lack of awareness among end-users about the financial and health benefits these technologies offer.
However, a glimmer of hope emerges with the decreasing cost of solar PV modules and the growing affordability of PV-supported clean cookstoves and appliances. This trend not only makes these technologies more financially viable but also aligns them with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement on climate change. By reducing CO2 and pollutant emissions, these PV-supported cooking solutions contribute to both climate change mitigation and adaptation, while also preserving local ecosystems from the strain of unsustainable biomass harvesting.
The potential of these advancements is immense. With significant cost reductions in PV-supported clean cooking, we can bridge the Emissions Gap and support multiple Sustainable Development Goals. But to unlock this potential, we need to address the barriers to uptake. This involves supply and demand-side interventions, including affordable financing for viable business models, to make clean cooking technologies accessible to households through scalable market-based approaches.
This report, co-published with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Global Platform for Action on Sustainable Energy in Displacement Settings (GPA), is a testament to the collective effort of the Global electric Cooking Coalition (GeCCo) and the Solar electric Cooking Partnership (SOLCO). Together, we aim to shed light on the path towards a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for all.
