More than 10.2 million off-grid solar energy kits were sold in 2025, marking the highest annual sales volume recorded by GOGLA affiliates
Sales of SHS and multi-light systems grew strongly, while PAYGo sales rose to match cash sales volumes
The sector expanded its customer base and impact, but limited access to capital remains a key obstacle to achieving global energy access targets
The global off-grid solar sector recorded its highest annual sales volume on record in 2025, with affiliates of the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) selling more than 10 million solar energy kits (SEKs), according to GOGLA’s Global Off-Grid Solar Market Report: Annual Sales & Impact Data.
The milestone of 10.2 million units represents a 10% year-on-year (YoY) increase in SEK sales, such as solar lanterns and solar home systems (SHS) reported by the industry. GOGLA says its affiliate companies now serve more than 148 million people globally, with 11 million additional people gaining access to off-grid solar products during 2025 alone.
In 2024, off-grid solar kit sales reached a cumulative 138 million with the addition of 20 million beneficiaries (see East Africa Drives 2024 Growth In Off-Grid Solar Kit Sales).
As per the latest report, an additional 645,000 households and farms are using solar water pumps and refrigeration units sold by GOGLA affiliates.
While there was a 36% YoY growth in multi-light system sales with 2.65 million units sold in 2025, SHS sales of 2.52 million units represented 48% annual increase. Nevertheless, there was a 28% and 10% YoY decline in the sales of solar generators (35,000), and solar lanterns (5.05 million), respectively.
Alongside SEKs, GOGLA says its affiliates sold 1.83 million off-grid appliances during the year. These included 154,842 solar-powered water pumps (-47% YoY), 1.42 million fans (-2% YoY), 243,982 million televisions (+2% YoY), and 3,908 refrigeration units (-13% YoY). Overall, sales dropped by 8% compared to the annual total in 2024.
Geographically speaking, GOGLA says Kenya is one of the most mature and commercially advanced markets for plug-and-play off-grid solar solutions globally. As East Africa’s largest market, Kenya’s registered its 5th consecutive period of increase, thanks mainly to the sales of lanterns, lanterns with phone charging and multi-light systems.
SEK sales in Sub-Saharan Africa increased by 15% compared to 2024 and 29% compared to 2023, driven mainly by growth in a few key markets and continued demand for PAYGo products. East Africa contributed the most to global growth, with strong sales increases in countries including Burundi, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.
West Africa recorded a 26% rise in sales, supported by Nigeria’s recovery and the rollout of the World Bank-backed Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-up (DARES) program.
In contrast, sales in South Asia continued to decline as grid electrification expanded in major markets such as India and Bangladesh. SEK sales dropped by 46% YoY and 62% vis-à-vis 2023 in India. For Pakistan, a strong emerging solar market, SEK sales grew due to bulk procurement.
Despite a decline in the number of manufacturers reporting sales, the global off-grid solar market maintained its size in 2025, according to GOGLA. This reflects growing market concentration as larger brands expanded their market share and industry consolidation continued via mergers and acquisitions.
Analysts share that reported pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) sales matched cash sales volumes for the first time since reporting began. Cash sales declined 12% YoY to 5.11 million units. In contrast, PAYGo sales increased 48% to 5.11 million units, surpassing the previous record set in 2022.
GOGLA analysts attribute the strong performance on energy access initiatives such as Mission 300 and the sector’s ability to deliver results-based financing programs implemented across multiple markets in recent years. Thanks to owning an off-grid solar energy kit, 7.4 million people are able to undertake more economic activity. Since 2010, analysts believe, there has been $10.95 billion in additional income generated by customers through direct ownership of such systems.
Despite the record sales and expanding customer base, GOGLA noted that limited access to capital remains a key barrier to scaling deployment at the pace required to meet broader global energy access and development goals.
“As GOGLA’s 2025 investment data will show, the off-grid solar sector is also at a crossroads in terms of capital flow. Moreover, despite the reported sales growth, the pace of deployment remains well below what is required to meet national electrification plans, Sustainable Development Goal 7 and the ambitions of Mission 300,” reads the report.
Reaching these targets, stresses GOGLA, will require governments and financiers to include off-grid solar in energy and investment plans even as demand remains strong.
The complete report titled Global Off-Grid Solar Market Report Annual Sales & Impact Data is available on GOGLA’s website for free download.