Light a Village is a game changing model bringing solar power to the poorest and remotest areas in sub-Saharan Africa combining the latest technology and an inclusive and affordable financing model with strong community operations.
Why light a village – reaching the hardest-to-reach
590 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity. When the sun sets, families are forced to turn to dangerous alternatives such as homemade torches, candles and kerosene lamps. These options aren’t only expensive, but they are also imperilling health, impairing education, and emitting carbon into the atmosphere.
The poorest and remotest communities are being left behind in the energy transition. Currently, it is estimated that by 2030, 560 million people will still be without electricity leaving the world far off achieving SDG7. There is an urgent need for innovative solutions which put energy access for these communities at the forefront. Light a Village aims to test new models for distributing and maintaining solar lighting in remote, off-grid areas with the ambition to fast-track universal energy access.
How does it work – energy as a service
Light a Village applies a game-changing ‘energy as a service model’, meaning customers pay the utility provider for the electricity they use. This means families receive instant access to electricity at an affordable rate. This model responds to the two key barriers that keep the poorest communities from gaining energy access – affordability and risk management.
This ground breaking innovation aims to create community transformation through providing each household, as well as schools in a village with a solar home system. We then train local Customer Service Representatives (CSRs) to install and repair the solar home systems creating long-term, sustainable income.
