Combining mobile and solar technology, this solution provides solar power with the affordability of pay-as-you-go, to deliver health and economic benefits for rural communities in developing countries.
THE SOLUTION
! ECONOMIC According to a study done by the company, Indigo provides clean energy as a service that saves users over 50% on their fossil fuel energy costs.
SOCIAL Indigo replaces kerosene for lighting; poisonous kerosene fumes are estimated by the WHO to result in 1.6 million deaths annually.1
Indigo pay-as-you-go solar is a residential solar system paid for with scratchcards through a service model. Users receive 8 hours of smoke-free lighting for two rooms and mobile phone charging, whilst cutting their weekly energy expenses by 50% or more. Customers can progressively upgrade to larger systems over time, to access more electricity and ultimately reach full home electrification. This “pay-as-yougrow” business model assists users to earn their way out of poverty without handouts or charity.
WHY A SUSTAINIA100 SOLUTION?
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1.6 billion people lack access to electricity, and are forced to use fossil fuels such as kerosene in simple lamps each day for basic lighting. Indigo is already having a transformative impact on the lives of families in Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, and South Sudan by improving their health, economic opportunity, and environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL Fossil fuel combustion for lighting has a carbon footprint roughly equivalent to the annual emissions Argentina. 2
SOUTH SUDAN ZAMBIA KENYA MALAWI
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1. WHO, ”Indoor air pollution and household energy” 2. Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, “The Lumina Project”: www.light.lbl.gov; U.S. Energy Information Administration
THE VENTURE CAPITALIST
SOLAR HOME SYSTEMS