In February 2019 GSES was awarded a contract from the Ugandan Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to develop a Quality Assurance Framework for component-based solar systems.

The Government of Uganda (GoU) has received financing from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank towards the implementation of the Uganda Energy for Rural Transformation Phase III (ERT-3). The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), in coordination with the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) has initiated the development of a Quality Assurance Framework related to plug-and-play and component-based solar systems (e.g., SHS, pico-solar products).

Under ERT-3, the Uganda Energy Credit Capitalisation Company (UECCC) is managing a line of credit and guarantee facility to promote the deployment of quality-verified off-grid solar systems. The Quality Assurance Frameworks will support this objective.

The work being undertaken by GSES has five major components:

• Developing the interim quality assurance framework to support the existing UECCC managed loan facility.
• Undertake the implementation of this interim framework by: assessing the individual system components and system designs; evaluating installers and installed systems of 10 companies that are applying to obtain finance through the UECCC.
• Develop the interim framework into a sustainable long-term quality assurance framework through identifying the structure of a committee/organisation that would continue to oversee (or manage) the framework on an ongoing basis.
• Build the capacity of Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) or a designated third-party to assess the quality of components, design of systems, warranty terms and quality of installations.
• Evaluate the current capability and identify gaps of the UNBS laboratories to support testing of component-based solar products.

To undertake this project GSES assembled a project team comprising: Mr Geoff Stapleton (GSES Australia), Mr Dwipen Boruah (GSES India) and Mr Colin Kabiswa (Konserve Advisory Services-Uganda). However, this core team was supported by GSES staff in Australia, India and also Konserve Advisory Service staff in Uganda.

The key deliverables of this project include:

• Developing the eligibility requirements for companies involved with supplying approved component based solar home systems;
• Developing the eligibility criteria for the individual system components, based on applicable international standards;
• Developing the framework for assessing and approving the design of the solar systems which will include developing a design guideline;
• Developing the guidelines for system installations which identify relevant international installation standards;
• Developing the framework for assessing and approving the qualifications of solar installers and technicians;
• Identifying the warranty terms acceptable under the program;
• Developing the sanctioning system against companies that do not follow the approved design and installation guidelines;
• Assessing and providing a report on the companies that have applied for approval under the credit facility;
• Assessing and providing a report on the solar products and system designs (pre-designed packages and custom-designed systems) of 10 companies that have applied to be financed under the working capital facility;
• Evaluating the qualifications of solar installers / technicians for 10 companies that have applied to be financed under the working capital facility;
• Developing an installation inspection document that will be used when evaluating the installed solar systems of companies on a sample basis for companies that have applied to be financed under the working capital facility;
• Developing the code of practice for component based systems;
• Identifying and documenting the most appropriate structure for the sustainability of the long-term Quality Assurance Framework which would include the formation of an appropriate committee and identifying what organisation would best be suited to the ongoing administration of the framework;
• Building the capacity of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) or a designated third-party to assess the quality of components, design of systems, warranty terms and quality of installations; and
• Evaluating the current capability and identify gaps of the UNBS laboratories to support testing of component-based solar products.