Harnessing the circular economy to tackle solar e-waste in Vanuatu
55%
45%
Partner contribution
$ 285,312
DFAT contribution
$ 241,681
Total Value
$ 526,993
Start: July 2024 - End: March 2026
Australian Government
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade works with international partners and other countries to tackle global challenges, increase trade and investment opportunities, protect international rules, keep our region stable and help Australians overseas.
University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a leading public research university based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Vanuatu Department of Energy
The Vanuatu Department of Energy is responsible for the development of energy policies, legislations and regulations to guide the development of energy services in Vanuatu and improve service delivery.
Vanuatu Disability Promotion Advocacy Association
Vanuatu Disability Promotion Advocacy Association is a national charity in Vanuatu working towards advancing the rights of people with disability in Vanuatu.
Vanuatu Institute of Technology
Vanuatu Institute of Technology is the centre of excellence for public technical, vocational, business, hospitality, and continuing education in Vanuatu.
The University of the South Pacific
The University of the South Pacific is the premier institution of higher education and research in the Pacific Islands region, with campuses across 11 countries and territories.
A partnership to facilitate off-grid solar maintenance, repair, and entrepreneurship in Vanuatu
Context
The rapid growth of small-scale off-grid solar markets in the Pacific region, particularly in Vanuatu, has led to the widespread adoption of solar products as the primary source of lighting, especially in rural areas. However, lack of regulation and quality control have resulted in a significant accumulation of solar e-waste, posing environmental and health risks. While recycling is available, it isn’t enough to adequately address the problem.
Off-grid solar repair has great potential to produce more positive outcomes for consumer value and the environment. Recent research in Africa, which also has had a recent off-grid solar boom, has shown that more than 92% of non-functioning off-grid solar products can be easily and cost-effectively repaired.
About the initiative
The University of New South Wales, Vanuatu Disability Promotion Advocacy Association, Vanuatu Institute of Technology, University of the South Pacific and Vanuatu Department of Energy have partnered with the Australian Government to tackle the growing environment issue of e-waste from solar energy systems.
The partnership aims to tackle solar e-waste in Vanuatu. It will do this by first exploring the best options based on global evidence and local market conditions. It will then look for opportunities to strengthen local repair capabilities and develop off-grid solar repair enterprises, together with sustainable business models that generate revenue for local businesses and create new employment opportunities, particularly for women and people with disabilities. The partnership will focus on Tanna Island, Aneityum and Pentecost Island to develop repair business models that address each island’s needs.
Hear from our partners
Key contributions from partners
- University of New South Wales will bring together a multidisciplinary team across UNSW’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, Faculty of Engineering and UNSW Business to administer the project, offering the necessary methodological, commercial and technological understandings necessarily to implement the project. UNSW will act as the project lead and will be involved in all facets of the project.
- Vanuatu Institute of Technology will be involved in the fieldwork side of the project, helping to gather data, test solar products, and implement repair business models.
- Vanuatu Disability Promotion Advocacy Association will be involved in community engagement and supporting the project’s inclusive mandate.
- The Vanuatu Department of Energy will be involved in setting up contacts and networks for the project and ensuring that its outcomes have policy impact.
- The University of the South Pacific will provide targeted expertise in the areas of gender and development.
- The Australian Government will contribute catalytic funding. It will also connect partners to networks, provide support through the BPP in gender and disability inclusion, business models, safeguards and impact measurement, as well as support with communications to enable national and global recognition.
This partnership was selected through the Australian Infrastructure Financing Facility for the Pacific (AIFFP) Call for Partnerships to Support Off-Grid Renewable Energy in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.