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Refrigerators

Refrigeration is essential for human health and productivity, but the market for appropriate and efficient off- and weak-grid refrigerators remains nascent.

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2019 Global LEAP Awards Off-Grid Refrigerator Competition

Global LEAP Awards is administering a second round competition for highly energy-efficient, durable, off- and weak-grid appropriate refrigerators.

The 2019 Global LEAP Awards Off-Grid Refrigerator Competition will identify and recognize innovative early-movers and best-in-class products in the pump market. All nominated off-grid refrigerators underwent evaluation by a panel of off-grid market experts and product testing according to Global LEAP Off-Grid Refrigerator Test Method by an accredited laboratory for their efficiency, durability, and other aspects of product performance (e.g. cooling capacity, autonomy).

Detailed information about all twenty-one Winners and Finalists—including product performance data and sales contact information—is available in the 2019 Global LEAP Awards Buyer’s Guide for Outstanding Off-Grid Refrigerators.

Winners and Finalists of the 2019 Global LEAP Awards Off-Grid Refrigerator competition will receive the following benefits:

  • Find potential investors through the newly-formed Efficiency for Access Coalition Investor Network. Convened by Acumen, the network includes Shell Foundation and 18 other leading investment organizations.
  • Consideration for a £100,000 innovation prize focused on affordability. Prize money will be awarded to products that demonstrate market-leading innovation in two tracks:
    • Consumer Affordability: Innovations that make it easier for diverse customers to purchase refrigerators (e.g., consumer financing, distribution partnerships)
    • Unit Cost Affordability: Design innovations that lower the cost of manufacturing, assembling, and/or shipping products
  • Participation in a global promotional campaign, including opportunities to interface with distributors and investors in key markets.
  • Eligibility for financing programs and other benefits including Global LEAP results-based financing incentives.
SWP Refrigerator GL Timeline
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Refrigeration provides a wide range of benefits, from improving human health and productivity, to reducing the domestic burden on women and children, who are usually responsible for food gathering and preparation.

Refrigerators, however, are one of the most challenging off-grid appliances to design and develop to be both energy efficient and cost-effective. Therefore, the global market remains in the early stages of development, often leaving consumers with expensive, inefficient, and faulty products.

In 2017, the Global LEAP Awards included the first off-grid refrigerator competition to identify the most energy-efficient, off- and weak-grid appropriate refrigerators, and help companies, investors, and others make better, faster, business decisions. A complete of list of Winners and Finalists, including product performance data and sales contact information, is available in the Global LEAP Off-Grid Refrigerator Buyer’s Guide.

Off-Grid Refrigerator Resource Archive

Other Resources

2019 Buyer’s Guide for Outstanding Off-Grid Refrigerators

The Global LEAP Awards Buyer’s Guide is a catalog of the world’s best off-grid appliances. The 2019 edition contains information about the twenty-one off-grid refrigerators that were named Winners and Finalists in the 2019 Global LEAP Awards. It includes rated product specifications, performance metrics based on laboratory testing, and sales contact information.

2017 Buyer’s Guide for Outstanding Off-Grid Refrigerators

The Global LEAP Awards Buyer’s Guide serves as a procurement tool for off-grid solar companies and off-grid solar distributors. This edition contains information about off-grid refrigerators that were named Winners and Finalists in the 2017 Global LEAP Awards. It includes rated product specifications, performance metrics based on laboratory testing, and sales contact information.

Market Baseline Performance Testing for Off-Grid & Weak Grid Refrigerators

Commercially available refrigerators procured in 2016 were tested according to the Global LEAP Off-Grid Refrigerator Test Method in accredited laboratories to evaluate their energy performance, service delivery, durability, and off-grid appropriateness. The report details results in key areas: daily energy consumption, autonomy, pull-down time, and energy efficiency relative to price.

Off-& Weak Grid Refrigeration: 2018 Global Market Development Roundtable Workshop Report

This report chronicles two-day workshop by a variety of industry leaders including product designers, manufacturers of both on- and off-grid appliances, distributors, pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) solar home system providers, and other development and technology specialists on typical off-grid refrigerator market barriers.