Solar and battery systems can effectively solve the last-mile energy crisis by providing affordable power to remote areas that traditional electrical grids cannot reach. According to the authors of the newly released report, these decentralized technologies allow electricity to be generated and used locally, bypassing the massive costs associated with building hundreds of miles of power lines.
The report states that “Decentralised solar systems offer a practical way to address the longstanding ‘last-mile’ challenge of delivering electricity to remote communities.” Furthermore, “In 2026, solar-plus-storage is already cheaper than grid extension for any community more than a few tens of kilometres from existing lines.”
In simple terms, building a traditional power grid is extremely expensive because it requires stringing wires over difficult terrain to reach small groups of people. Until recently, there were no other options, but now that battery prices have dropped, people can set up their own mini-power stations right where they live. These systems capture sunlight during the day and store it in batteries so it can be used whenever it is needed, making it cheaper and easier to get electricity to everyone, no matter how far away they are.
The report “The electric fast-track for emerging markets” was published globally by energy think tank Ember, in partnership with the Climate Vulnerable Forum, on 2 April 2026. Authored by a team including Daan Walter and Sam Butler-Sloss, the analysis details how developing nations can bypass fossil fuel reliance through scalable and affordable electric technologies.
