Low cost, graduated PAYG solar home systems for Africa

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Africa Power is developing an affordable, upgradeable SHS product line for off-grid rural African households,and conducting initial beta testing in at least two countries, beginning with Tanzania and Zambia. Unlike otherSHS in the local market, these low-cost systems require zero deposits and are fully upgradeable to include moreappliances once the basic system is paid off, enabling even the poorest households to climb the Energy Ladderover time. All systems are integrated with a portable PAYG key-fob, an innovation that manages payment anddata collection, using Bluetooth technology for transmission in remote, low/no-connectivity areas. With ourresearch partners we will further conduct a feasibility analysis for developing higher-powered solar systems toallow the productive use of power for all sectors in an off-grid community, including businesses and communityfacilities such as schools and health clinics. The reduction of costs as well as our proven distribution modelthrough our established local partners, will enable Africa Power to create scalable and viable power distributionservices in Sub-Saharan Africa reaching 200,000 off-grid households in 5 years.