A mean, lean and green ENERGY SOLUTION

Communities for whom grid electricity remain an unattainable dream, can now look forward to a visit from an empowered – and empowering – turtle.

The Solar Turtle is a micro solar-energy kiosk, designed to provide an alternative energy source to rural and highdensity urban communities that are off the electricity grid. The system is aimed at empowering informal traders and entrepreneurs across Africa, specifically women and young people, to generate an income though serving their communities.

There are three Solar Turtle designs, each with an integrated SME e-learning and ICT management system. The smallest version fits in a suitcase and can be transported in a taxi. The medium version can be pulled or peddled by bicycle to trading locations, while the large version is a trailer that can be parked at events. The baby Turtles allow community members to charge cellphones and small electronic devices, while the bicycle and trailer versions offer a wider range of products and services, including printing, cooking and refrigeration.

Apart from the electricity-supply hardware, all Baby Turtles have an ICT training and management package. The software facilitates daily trading through a point-of-sale (POS) system that keeps track of customer accounts, sales, stock and cash flow. The idea behind the POS system is to help entrepreneurs trade more effectively and keep them motivated through a virtual reward system that tracks performance statistics and has a fun, interactive interface. Cloud-based software ensures daily data capturing that enables impact studies and serves as a support programme.

During the past financial year, SANEDI ran the project that developed, tested and, based in field assessments, to improve the three prototypes. Particular care was devoted to integrating the ICT capability with a POS system and e-learning software. A live case study was done to test the performance of the kiosks by deploying them to rural and urban nodes, where access to electricity is a challenge.

The Solar Turtle project has advanced to a stage where the trailer prototype and software updates are being finalised. The suitcase and bicycle prototypes have already been finalised. Two entrepreneurs have been trained and empowered to test the technology.

Portable and scalable, the Solar Turtle is an excellent example of African ingenuity addressing Africa’s energy challenges.