Angela Homsi

Angela Homsi, Founder and President of awards-winning Ignite Power, is dedicated to solving global challenges through innovation. With Ignite, she pioneers innovative infratech solutions, ensuring universal access to clean infrastructure in emerging markets, reaching 2.8 million people across ten countries. Ignite is the proud winner of the Zayed Sustainability Prize (Energy) awarded at COP28, and project awardee of IRENA fifth cycle. Angela also chairs the Africa Innovation Fund and serves on the IC of Microvest Capital. Previously she spent over a decade as investor at VP Al Gore’s 40bn$ sustainable investment fund Generation and at Goldman Sachs, developing deep experience in sustainability, tech and emerging markets’ investing. Angela's nonprofit work included leadership roles with Seeds of Peace, YPO, NSI and track II initiatives and working alongside Sir Ronald Cohen in post conflict countries. She is also an avid lecturer and news contributor. A mathematician and economics scholar, she's also a Singularity University Executive Graduate, she speaks French, English, and some Spanish, Arabic and Hebrew.

Session Overview

Tuesday, 5 November

14:00

14:00 - 14:30

Solar home systems and mini-grids: the opportunity for solar to deliver just and equitable energy access

According to the IEA, 685 million people live with no access to energy, particularly those in remote and underserved communities. Research shows access to reliable energy positively impacts socio-economic opportunity and development, including increased availability of education and health resources, job creation and economic diversification. Advances in solar solutions open paths to clean, reliable, and affordable energy access through solar home systems and at the community level through mini-grids. Some of the challenges in scaling the capacity of solar home systems and mini-grids include the optimisation of design, improving affordability, grid integration, and enabling regulatory environments. To unlock the full potential of solar solutions, policymakers, grid operators, investors, and rural electrification agencies must work together to create the right supporting frameworks.

Attendee insights:

Understand the potential of solar solutions like home systems and mini-grids as means to deliver clean, affordable and accessible energy for all.