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EmPowered
Description/achievement of initiative

The SolaFin2Go project will address the challenge of providing standalone solar systems to make available cost-effective and affordable access to electricity and thermal hot water for off-grid households in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective is to test the feasibility of 'entry-level' technological solutions combining novel PV and solar thermal technologies financed through improved business PAYG models (enabled by the innovative FinTech platform through Mobile, Cloud and Blockchain technologies) that fit with household/community circumstances to provide basic electrification and hot water.

Implementation methodologies

Stage 1 Research barriers to adoption Develop solutions to be tested Proof of Concept installed in demonstration community Monitoring, reporting, and adaption. Develop a stage 2 project for a scaled field trial learning from stage 1 PoC

Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer

Coordination mechanisms/governance structure

Collaboration agreement between all partners has been signed. Lead Partner for Stage 1 Ulster University.

Partner(s)

Center for Sustainable technology (University of Ulster) (UK) SolaForm Ltd (UK) DP Sun Ltd (UK) Empowered (Pty) Botswana
Progress reports
Goal 7
7.1 - By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services
7.2 - By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
7.a - By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology
7.b - By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States, and land-locked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support
Goal 13
April 2019
Innovate UK Energy Catalyst Funding early stage for PoC
January 2019
Global Challenge Research Fund partnership development funding
March 2021
Innovate UK Energy Catalyst Funding Stage 2 Village scale project
Financing (in USD)
1,400,000 USD
Financing (in USD)
400,000 USD
Financing (in USD)
50,000 USD
Financing (in USD)
500,000 USD

Basic information
Time-frame: April 2018 - March 2021
Website
Partners
Center for Sustainable technology (University of Ulster) (UK) SolaForm Ltd (UK) DP Sun Ltd (UK) Empowered (Pty) Botswana
Countries
Contact information
Eunice Ntobedzi, CEO, empoweredbw@gmail.com
United Nations