Very little research has focused on

Very little research has focused on the off-grid TV market (defined here as comprising both un- and under-electrified populations) because it is currently a niche market with uncertain growth potential. Demand for DC TVs in off-grid regions is currently driven by existing distributors of solar power systems and low-power energy products (Dalberg Research, 2013). However, un- and under-electrified households could become a large appliance market as economies grow and electricity access improves. In particular, increasing opportunity for off-grid populations to access digital TV content is expected to support future demand for TVs in off-grid regions. For example, the direct-to-home industry, which provides TV content by satellite, is growing, largely to serve rural customers who do not have access to cable service (Dalberg Research, 2013; Digital TV Research, 2014; DVB.org, 2015). Although current TV penetration in off-grid rural areas is still low, a recent analysis estimated that the number of off- and unreliable-grid households seeking TVs in Asia and Africa would grow from about 50 million in 2015 to about 200 million in 2020 as the distribution of energy systems increases (Global LEAP, 2016a). Recent market transformation programs promote and help consumers identify energy-efficient, quality-assured, off-grid TVs. For example, the Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (LEAP) Outstanding Off-Grid TV order Paclitaxel recognized several TV products based on a combination of expert evaluation and quantitative assessments of energy and cost (Global LEAP, 2014a, 2016b).
TV energy consumption trends
Estimating cost and electricity-savings potential We use a bottom-up approach to estimate the potential to reduce the energy consumed by small TVs and the potential for use of these TVs to reduce the costs of off-grid energy systems. We obtained the market data for this analysis from a review of literature including market and technical reports (e.g., DisplaySearch data and reports) as well as country-specific databases (e.g., U.S. ENERGY STAR). Our analysis focuses on small (less than 25in. in diagonal) TVs because only small TVs are likely to be affordable in off-grid settings.
Summary and conclusions First, as a result of the global transition to LED-LCD TV technology, price declines and efficiency advances in these TVs will enable increased use of SHSs in off-grid regions and lower total SHS costs for the same level of electricity service. However, although the use of energy-efficient TVs can reduce the total cost of off-grid energy systems, the up-front cost of LED-LCD TVs is generally higher than the cost of less-efficient conventional LED-LCD TVs (as well as inefficient traditional CRT TVs). Policies and programs, such as awards and labeling, should consider ways to increase public awareness of the benefits of energy-efficient DC TVs. Second, to facilitate reduction in LED-LCD TVs prices, policy measures need to reward energy-efficient, quality-assured TV products. As discussed earlier, it is still difficult to find DC LED-LCD TVs from global TV manufacturers, mainly because these TV products are at an early stage of development, and the potential economies of scale are uncertain. Government policies that reward energy-efficient TVs would help accelerate the penetration of these TVs in the market. Third, to facilitate further reduction in home energy system costs, polices need to address the adoption of commercially available, cost-effective efficiency improvements in TVs. LED-LCD TVs with selected technological options can provide specific energy and cost-savings benefits to off-grid systems with no significant incremental cost increase for the TV products themselves.
Acknowledgments This work was funded primarily by the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, and administered by the U.S. Department of Energy in support of the Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (Global LEAP) initiative through the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02-05CH1131. Any errors or omissions are those of the authors.