Association cooperation to establish the photovoltaic market in Afghanistan

Afghanistan has very good solar irradiation conditions. However, the development of a sustainable photovoltaic market requires robust local association structures, qualified installers, quality standards, market information and cooperation between the private sector and public institutions. Building on the earlier Enabling PV Afghanistan study and on the cooperation between the German Solar Association (Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft, BSW-Solar) and the Afghanistan Renewable Energy Union (AREU), the project was intended to strengthen AREU as a central association and dialogue partner for renewable energy and photovoltaics in Afghanistan.

The project concept combined association development and solar market development. Planned activities included the analysis of existing AREU structures, support for policy advice and lobbying, the development of association services, a PV Passport as a voluntary quality assurance system for photovoltaic systems, an online information portal with a profitability calculator, solar business trainings, matchmaking with international PV actors and train-the-trainer activities for the installation, operation and maintenance of PV systems.

During the first implementation phase, ideas into energy established the project management and coordination structures, held kick-off and steering meetings with AREU, GIZ and the project partners, started stakeholder mapping and a cross-cutting needs assessment, and initiated the work process for the PV Passport. Due to force majeure, the project had to be terminated prematurely before the planned training, matchmaking and market activation measures could be fully implemented.