Newsletter for Members and Supporters of the Alliance for Rural Electrification

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. This proverb, thought to have been first uttered sometime between the 4th and 6th century B.C is as relevant today as it ever has been, especially within the renewable energy sector.

The developing world, as you know, is a massive untapped market for the renewable energy sector. With 1.4 billion people across the globe living without access to electricity, the need for clean, reliable renewable energy is great. However, past trends which may have seen the implementation of renewable energy projects on an aid basis are being replaced by a commitment to empowering and cooperating with indigenous local sectors regarding their energy needs.

Central to this is the involvement of local populations throughout all project processes. Involving local people has the effect of giving communities a greater sense of ownership and appreciation of a system and ultimately facilitates a faster diffusion of technologies.

Capacity building, educational training and incorporation of communities into the planning and development process as well as building, maintenance and ownership means the consumers (community) have a broader interest in the operation and maintenance of a project. Training also helps with the development of local private sectors which help to establish and support renewable energy projects.

With this in mind, we have made this newsletter the training and capacity newsletter.
We hear from Solar Sister, an innovative social enterprise empowering rural women with economic opportunity and clean energy access. Solar Sister is the only organisation in the world building an Africa wide grassroots network of female solar entrepreneurs.

We also talk with the Mali Folke Center, a NGO in Mali, which seeks to promote and develop renewable energy through grassroot initiatives and with an emphasis on comprehensive training of local target groups. Where appropriate, MFC endeavours to create maintenance and management committees so as to build the capacity needed to assure maximum impact and gains in the long term.

In this edition of the newsletter we also send a warm welcome to our new members.
We include a profile of CENTROSOLAR Group AG and Sunrise Solar Solutions Ltd. We are delighted to have both on board and ARE looks forward to a long and successful partnership.

We have the latest news from the Alliance, an overview of our recent activities as well as a look at some interesting publications. Keep an eye out also for our online discussion topic which you can join on our Facebook page.

We also have as always, the latest events lists. Keep an eye out for the events which ARE is attending. We hope to see many of you there.

We hope all our members have had an enjoyable summer. With September now upon us, ARE looks forward to another busy and productive autumn and to “maximizing the gains”.

Thanks for reading and until next time,

Simon Rolland.

In Focus

Solar Sister: Spreading Light, Hope & Opportunity through Women’s Enterprise

Connecting the dots: Female face of energy poverty

1.4 billion people on the planet live without the most basic access to electricity. 70% of these are women and girls in rural areas who rely on kerosene lanterns and candles for light. They spend up to 40% of their family income on energy that is inefficient, insufficient and hazardous.
A key area affected by this gender dimension of energy access relates to mobile technologies. The global gender gap in mobile access is to the tune of 300 million. A woman is 21% less likely to own a mobile phone than a man. A lack of electricity means that women in a village in Africa either do not have access to mobile technologies or if they do, they have to walk long distances to charge their phones, spending both time and money which could be used more productively.

The Last Mile Distribution Conundrum

Even thought portable solar LED and mobile technology is an affordable solution today, insufficient distribution channels have kept the products beyond the reach of rural markets where traditional supply chains simply do not exist. The challenge is to bridge the divide between technology innovation and a delivery system that can be efficient, sustainable and scalable while being gender inclusive. Solar Sister is an innovative social enterprise addressing this weakest link to bring a systems change to energy poverty starting with Sub-Saharan Africa, where only 5% of the rural population has access to electricity.In this edition of “In Focus” we take a look at the pioneering work of Solar Sister, an innovative social enterprise empowering rural women with economic opportunity and clean energy access. Solar Sister is the only organisation in the world building an Africa wide grassroots network of female solar entrepreneurs.

Solar Sister Solution

Solar Sister combines the breakthrough potential of micro-solar technology innovation with Avon style woman-driven direct sales networks to bring light, hope and opportunity to communities across rural Africa. Its vision is to bring a new kind of clean energy revolution – one that is leveraged by women's social networks and the power of the marketplace. Solar Sister uses the micro-consignment model (MCM) to provide the women with a 'business in a bag', a start-up kit of inventory of portable solar lamps and mobile phone chargers, training and marketing support. Since Solar Sister entrepreneurs sell on consignment, the women do not have to pay for the inventory until they sell it, earning a commission on each sale.
By intentionally reaching out to women, Solar Sister creates employment for women while meeting the local demand for affordable and reliable clean energy solutions which has a far reaching impact on economic savings, public health, local and global environment. In doing so, it addresses both geographical access - making clean energy products available at the rural customer's doorstep; and cultural access - closing the gender-technology gap by including women as key players in the provision of technology solutions instead of as passive consumers of energy.

Impact so far

Solar Sister began operations in East Africa with a successful pilot project implemented in March 2010 in collaboration with the Mother’s Union of Uganda. The Mother’s Union Family Life program is working closely with Solar Sister to provide access to affordable solar lamps through ‘merry-go-round’ purchase groups. Solar Sister’s other institutional partners include Women of Kireka, Aliat Uganda, Women for Women, and Maranatha Schools. As a one stop shop for the best in solar lighting and charging technologies, Solar Sister has also built strong technology partnerships with leaders in portable solar lighting solutions, including the World Bank and IFC’s Lighting Africa program’s Outstanding Product Award Winners D.Light Design and Barefoot Power, along with other innovators like Angaza Design, Nokero, and SunNight Solar . Solar Sister’s unique role as the “last mile” distributer of portable clean energy technology through a program driven by women is unique and valued by manufacturers. Entrepreneurs sell the products on one hand and provide real time product feedback to constantly improve product design on the other. With the foundation of these strong partnerships and grassroots approach, today there are 129 Solar Sister Entrepreneurs working in 10 teams reaching 34 communities in 3 countries - Uganda, Rwanda and Sudan who are bringing benefit of solar light to over 6040 Africans.

Stories of Change

The real world impact of Solar Sister’s work is in the personal stories of women it works with.
Grace Wakodo became a Solar Sister to supplement the family income. Her husband is a counselor to AIDS patients, earning $250 per year in addition to housing on the hospital campus. Grace and her husband care for 10 children, four of their own and six nieces and nephews that were left in their care when her husband’s brothers died of AIDS. The money Grace earns as a Solar Sister entrepreneur has doubled the family income and helps pay school fees for the children and provide more nutritious food for the table.
Zuura Muhindo is a health worker, a mother and a nursing student. Somehow she finds time to also be a Solar Sister. She is passionate about the need for light among the health care workers, especially midwives. She explained, in graphic detail, the difficulty of sewing up an episiotomy in the dark after a difficult delivery. Zurra is a single mother to two little girls and is working hard to improve their lives. She uses the income from selling lamps to put her through nursing school because her income as a certified nurse will be substantially better than that as a healthcare worker.

Way forward

With the success of the program so far, Solar Sister aims to develop a mobile interface IT enabled tracking and reporting mechanism for Solar Sister entrepreneurs. New public-private-people partnerships with grassroots women’s groups, inventors, manufacturers, local development programs, businesses and impact investors are being forged to achieve an even greater impact. Solar Sister has the bold vision to address energy poverty through its powerful market based, bottom up solution by recruiting, training and launching micro-enterprises for 5000 Solar Sister Entrepreneurs in 5 African countries in 5 years. As Solar Sister shows, women have the power to light up their lives and our common world.

Neha Misra, Director of Program and Development, Solar Sister
Learn more by clicking here, Solar Sister welcomes comments and inquiries for innovative partnerships at solarsister.org(at)gmail.com Twitter, Facebook and YouTube

NEWS FROM THE ALLIANCE

New Alliance Members

CENTROSOLAR

CENTROSOLAR Group is a listed photovoltaic company with a focus on roof top systems. Their core business is in complete plug and play installations for roofs on private houses and key components such as mounting systems and solar glass. CENTROSOLAR is one of the industry’s leading companies with more than 1,000 employees in Europe and the U.S and sales volumes over 300 million euro. The groups other areas of expertise include project planning for solar installations on commercial buildings and Stand Alone Systems.
CENTROSOLAR have decided to join ARE as they see energy poverty as a major global challenge and believe that off-grid PV markets have a huge role in combating the energy needs of the developing world.

Visit CENTROSOLAR by clicking here.

SUNRISE SOLAR SOLUTIONS LTD

Sunrise Solar Solutions Limited, established in 2008, is an innovative company formed to make a significant impact on the energy platform in Ghana and sub- Sahara Africa. They are wholesalers of renewable energy products (solar/wind). They supply and install solar/wind electricity for commercial, residential, and public sector buildings and provide full in-house training and technical support. Sunrise also supply leading technology products and provide a full installation service.

Sunrise Solar Solutions Limited has aligned itself with ARE so as to gain a competitive advantage in the fast growing renewable industry. In their own words, “we realised that ARE is the only renewable energy industry association worldwide dealing with the market expansion of off-grid and mini-grid renewable energy solutions in the developing countries. As a member we would become visible and enjoy political representation. We would benefit from the strategic advantages from joining up with the big players in the renewable industry with regard to technical and financial solutions about rural Electrification. Communication and advocacy about the benefits of rural electrification using RES is also a crucial factor. Moreover, access to key contacts on new developments, decision makers, donors, promoters of projects in renewable energy sector in developing countries will benefit our business greatly”.

Visit Sunrise Solar Solutions by clicking here.

InterSolar North America

In early July, ARE Secretary General, Simon Rolland attended InterSolar North America where industry innovators and policy makers met to discuss the latest PV industry and technology trends. The conference and exhibition included a session dedicated to off-grid PV. Within this session, Simon presented on the potential (and the way to reach it) of off-grid PV in emerging and developing countries. The presentation was very well received by a large number of attendees who also learned about ARE.

Simon’s presentation can be found here and you can visit the InterSolar NA homepage here.

Working Group Cluster of Meetings

On the 27th and 28th of July, ARE hosted a cluster of working groups at the Renewable Energy House in Brussels.

On the first day, attendees came together to discuss the draft paper; “Policies and regulations in support of the development of renewable energy in developing countries”. The aim of this meeting was to develop common recommendations from the private sector to decision makers in the energy sector. The panel gave ARE a clearer idea of the policies which should be supported and which will be the base of an upcoming public affairs campaign.

On the second day, participants discussed a proposal for a market study around off-grid and mini-grid renewable energy products in developing countries. The objective of the workshop was agree on how to address the knowledge gap regarding market development and resources in developing countries, especially as the information available can often be overpriced, not suitable and not catered for the needs of the private sector.

ARE heard from a number of attendees, including the IEA, REN21, Partners for Innovation and Infinergia.

During the next weeks ARE will prepare a survey which will be circulated among members and partners to better define the criteria and target countries of a future study and/or tool for market information. Emanating from this ARE should be able to create a solid project proposal that will be submitted to several potential funding partners, including agencies and bodies identified in the workshop.

Be sure to stay tuned for further developments over the coming months.

All presentation can be downloaded here.

AN INTERVIEW FROM THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION SECTOR

Can you tell us more about Mali Folke-Center (MFC)? What do you hope to achieve?

Mali-Folkecenter (MFC) is an NGO specialised in the promotion of sustainable energy, economic development and the sustainable management of natural resources and the use of these resources to catalyse local economic growth & sustainable development. MFC has 42 full-time staff, of which 18 are in the head office in Bamako and the rest are the field offices in the intervention zones. To achieve its objectives, Mali Folkecenter works in partnership with rural populations, governmental agencies, energy SMEs, financial institutions, development agencies and NGOs.

MFC is also member of many networks on energy and climate change issues. These networks include among others: ENERGIA, REN21, INFORSE, HELIO International, Malian Network for the promotion of renewable energy and the protection of the environment (AMPERE), The Malian Civil society network for climate change (Reso Climat Mali) for which MFC is serving as secretariat, etc

In what way is the Mali Folke Center connected to African Rural Energy Enterprise Development (AREED) in Mali. How does it relate to your own objectives?

The Mali Folkecenter is the focus point of the AREED program in Mali, since 2001. MFC works in collaboration with the UNPE to support the starting up of the clean energy SME initiative. The AREED project gives entrepreneurs the technical (e.g. opportunities of capacities building, training sessions, advice and networking) and the financial assistance for starting up their business or for expansion.
In addition, the AREED programme supports the follow-up activities for market development, and advises the entrepreneur on its the business plan, after he or she receives the funds. In the policy level, the AREED programme informs the government about how they can support energy-related enterprises, including legislation that creates incentives to the creation of energy businesses and energy access to the poor in rural areas.
One of the objectives of the MFC is to promote income generation in Mali’s rural areas through the private initiative. This is done mainly through the AREED programme.

Among your different areas of work you support entrepreneurs who are starting up a clean energy business. What practical aspects does the MFC help with? How important is entrepreneurship in developing countries?

The biggest challenge for developing countries are the limited financial opportunities and technical, in particular to the people with a good business idea. There are several barriers to private initiative, for example no access to information, no access to finance, energy prices, the national investment policy and market size
During the AREED programme, the Mali Folkecenter identified several potential entrepreneurs. Our role was to support them at several levels, including to train them on the elaboration of business plan and a better understanding of clean energy technology. After the programme the MFC offers each entrepreneur a EDS (Enterprise Development Service), to help them step-by-step in making the business financial viable, through a clear financial plan.

Can these businesses be financially viable? Can you give us an example of a success story? When it comes to training local people in the operation and maintenance of renewable mini-grids, what are your biggest challenges? Do you work closely with manufacturers? How can they support your work?

During the last five years the Malian government launched several rural electrification projects in collaboration with the World Bank and others donors. The strategy is to develop an off-grid system with generators running on the diesel or bio-fuel. After the challenge of getting the, the main issue is the maintenance of the generator, the grid and the management operation. For that, the Mali-Folkecenter, in collaboration with ETC foundation, has developed a training project focused maintenance and management of systems.
More than 40 technicians were trained. The support of the Mali-Folkecenter allowed other consultants or schools to replicate the training of other technicians. Also, for a sustainable electrification of hospitals, schools and other public place, we have developed specific training modules to teach local technicians to install solar home system, control the batteries, the regulators charge and clean PV panels.
To make all activities durable, we are developing toolkits which facilitated replication in Mali and others area of Africa.

Your trainings go beyond the technical side and also include promotion and marketing. What role can communications in general play in the development of the renewable off-grid market? Are there myths that need to be busted?

In Mali, lot of operators in the energy sector don’t have a marketing strategy. This happends because the Malian private energy sector is dominate by experienced traders which dominate the market. The consumer is used to going to the product it already knows. We believe that one of the barriers to the expansion of energy equipment in rural area is lack of communication as well as the commercial network between rural operators, and the traders in big cities.
During the Mali-Folkecenter field work we’ve meet lots of people in rural areas who want to buy PV panel and have electricity, but they have very limited information about how to access this product. It’s the same for the rural electrification projects implemented by the Malian government: in some areas the people don’t have information about onnection price, the quality of the product, the environmental or economic difference between RES solutions and the traditional product . The information and communication (marketing) are very important for this type of enterprise.
With that in mind, in collaboration with ETC Foundation, the MFC also helps entrepreneurs develop marketing strategies.
The Malian Agency of Electrification and Domestic Energy has developed several campaigns to promote cooking-stoves, or to sensibilize the people to use LPG. Unfortunately, these campaigns are very short-lived and not continuous.

How you see the upcoming 2012 International Year of Sustainable Access to Energy for All? Any special activities planned?

To have2012 as the international Year of Sustainable Access to Energy of All is a good initiative by the UN. During the year, the Mali-Folkecenter wants to operating in 15 more locations and bring electricity to more than thousand households. This will be done thanks to the energy provided by a hybrid system – Solar-Biofuel- Diesel. This initiative is supported by several partners, including NL Agency, AMADER (through the World Bank), DOEN Foundation, Christian AID and ACCESS SARL.
At the demand level (energy consumers), we will encourage the efficient use of energy, and to facilitate access of households to energy equipment thought microcredit. For that, the MFC through the AREED programme has developed The Productive Use of Energy Initiative. In 2012 more than 200,00US$ will be invested in this issue through microfinance and bank services.

Finally, considering recent international positive predictions for the renewable energy sector, where do you see the Mali Folke Center in 10 years time?

The MFC considers energy as the tool to promote local economic development. Regarding energy access, the challenge will be to ensure more sustainability in all rural electrification projects running with diesel, by introducing a hybrid system, or biofuel.

We already have some concrete and interesting results. During the programme, more than 100 entrepreneurs were trained, more than 50 benefited directly or indirectly from the EDS support, and more than 1 millions US$ will be invest to promote the operators in the LPG , rural electrification, solar dry, biofuel, and efficiency energy areas. Those funds support job creation (directly and indirectly), and have a lasting impact in Mali’s economy and society. We have made several good investments, but the success story of SODIGAZ (Societe de Distribution de Gaz) is among the best. The promoter left his the Public Administration job and decided to develop its own LPG business. He tried to sell his idea to several banks and several financial institutions with no success. Many even thought it was a bad and dangerous idea to commercialise LPG in Mali. One day he meet the Mali-Folkecenter’s Chairman (Dr Ibrahim TOGOLA), and explained his idea to him. He was very surprise that Dr Togola understood is idea and more than that, that AREED has decide to help him to develop his business.After training and EDS, the operator received 175,000 US$ to buy new equipment, and development his market. Afterwards, received 200,000 US$ to facilitied endsusers getting the bottled LPG. Thanks to AREED, and its courage, this entrepreneur increased his activities and turnover in more than 150%. The number of workers will also increase, as well as sale points and intervention areas.

DISCUSSION CORNER

In this newsletter, ARE has emphasised the importance of capacity building and training in relation to renewable energy as well as at all stages of the rural electrification process.

With this in mind, do you think that off-grid renewable energy projects in the developing world will encounter problems if it does not incorporate a strong program of training and local sector inclusion? Thus, is there a case to make local capacity building and training a fundamental requirement of electrification programs, or would this just unnecessarily prolong the process and delay the supply of urgently needed electricity?

Let us know where you stand. Come and visit our online discussion forum on our Facebook page and interact with your fellow members. Looking forward to hearing from you all.

PUBLISHED AND ACADEMIC WORLD

Drivers, barriers and strategies for implementation of renewable energy technologies in rural areas in Bangladesh- An innovation systems analysis. (2010). Md Alam Hossain Mondal; Linda M. Kamp and Nevelina l. Pachova, Center for Development Research, University of Bonn; Deft University of Technology; Institute for Environment and Human Security, United Nations University.

Bangladesh has good potential for harnessing renewable energy sources such as solar, biomass, wind, and mini-hydropower. The country has been experiencing a gradual shift towards exploring renewable energy resources as a driving force for rural development. A few public sector and non-government organizations have started to develop renewable energy technology (RET) projects in rural areas. The lessons learnt from different demonstrations of RET projects reveal that with careful forward planning renewable energy can provide far-reaching economic, environmental, and social benefits to people living in remote rural areas in Bangladesh.

This paper identifies some of the barriers that need to be overcome for the successful development of renewable energy technology sector and betterment of rural livelihoods. It does so through a critical review of policy and institutional settings, as well as present status and lessons learnt from pilot demonstration of a number of RET projects undertaken by different organizations. The study highlights policy implications of the review with the aim of supporting decision makers in formulating renewable energy policies and future plans for Bangladesh.

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421510002922

Capacity Building on Access to Energy in Africa: Final Report. (2006). Gordon A. Mackenzie; Nicoline Hasley-Hansen; Systems Analysis, EUEI Facilitation Worshops and Policy Dialogues.

The project “Capacity Building on Access to Energy in Africa” is part of the Danish support to the European Union Energy Initiative (EUEI). The project was developed in conducted in close collaboration with the EUEI Secretariat and comprised the organisation and running of two Facilitation Workshops and Policy dialogues in Africa, and the follow-up process in 14 African countries.

The project was implemented by the Energy for Development Unit at Risø National Laboratory. The Facilitation Workshops and Policy Dialogues may be seen as a joint step of the EUEI and African partners towards transforming the Nairobi recommendations into action at the national level in a number of African countries. The workshops were held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso in October 2004 and in Maputo, Mozambique in April 2005, and each involved delegations from seven countries in the respective regions, including high level representatives. After the workshops, a facilitated follow-up process was initiated to consolidate the results of the meetings, to involve a broader group of national stakeholders and to elaborate single project ideas for possible funding by the ACP/EU Energy Facility.

http://www.e4d.net/euei/EUEI%20final%20report.pdf

UPCOMING EVENTS

Symposium, “Sustainable Solar Energy in Indonesia”, 12th of September, University of Twente, Netherlands

This symposium will be organised in the framework of a three-year project on the development of a knowledge center on solar energy at Institut Teknologi Bandung in Indonesia, which is funded by the Indonesia Facility of the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs.

During the brainstorming session ideas and experiences of the participants will be captured on various topics, a.o. the implementation of photovoltaics in Indonesia, the development of a solar knowledge center and the socio-economic effects of access to renewable energy.

The symposium is open for registration of 50 participants from academics, business, NGOs and governmental organisations.
For registration and questions please contact Ms. D.B. Zimmerman-Woesik at debbie(at)ctw.utwente.nl, phone number +31-53-4892460.

Registration is free of charge and closes by September 7th, 2011.

BIRENEC 2011 (International 100% Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition), 26th September - 8th October, Istanbul, Turkey

Organised by EUROSOLAR Turkey, The Turkish Division of European Association for Renewable Energies annually to pursue the improvements in the energy end use efficiency and renewable energies, IRENEC, International 100% Renewable Energy Conferences and Exhibitions aim to promote this monumental transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources and to contribute to the 100 percent goal to be reached without nuclear energy or carbon-capture technology.

IRENEC 2011 will cover the most significant topics to lead a way to discussions and shifts in thinking in a world so overwhelmingly dependent on fossil fuels.
To learn more, please click here.

Nigeria Alternative Energy Expo 2011, 17th-19th October, Abuja, Nigeria

The Nigerian Alternative Energy Expo 2011 is where local and international renewable energy actors will come together will come together to discuss and debate a new energy future for both Nigeria and Africa. There will be over 4,000 professionals and 200 exhibiting companies in attendance and offers the opportunity to meet and network with senior experts and decision makers integral to the reform of the Nigerian energy sector.

To view the homepage of the Expo, please click here.

UPCOMING ARE EVENTS

26th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, 5th-9th September, CCH Congress Centre and International Fair, Hamburg, Germany

EU PVSEC seeks to demonstrate the cutting edge in technological development in the PV sector. Indeed, EU PVSEC is of particular importance as it comes at a time when the European Commission has announced new initiatives to foster innovation in key energy technologies. It will showcase the best of the photovoltaic industry and participants can view the latest products, equipments and materials.

ARE will be visible at the event through its stand as well as through the organisation of a market workshop. You can view the agenda for this by clicking here.

To visit EU PVSEC online, please click here.

Solar Power International, 17th-20th October, Dallas Convention Centre, Texas, U.S.

Solar Power International, in Dallas this October, is an opportunity to generate powerful new ideas, connections and business for the solar industry. With over 24,000 professionals due to attend, it is a perfect venue to see new innovations, create and advance business relationships, keep on the pulse of industry developments, educate and influence policy makers as well as talk with investors and financiers.

ARE will have a stand at the event and will organise a networking event which will bring together ARE members and contacts in a social setting in order to discuss sector developments and business. More details about this networking event and how to register here.

To learn more about Solar Power International, please click here.

HYDRO 2011, 17th-19th October, Prague, Czech Republic.

Policy-makers, developers, financiers, and hydro practitioners in all parts of the world are joining forces today to maximize the many inherent benefits of multipurpose hydropower projects. Pumped-storage schemes are playing an increasingly important role, particularly in countries where intermittent renewable energy systems are being developed. Power trading is accelerating socio-economic development in many hydro-rich countries, and innovative small hydro schemes are providing practical solutions for rural electrification. Our HYDRO 2011 Conference and Exhibition will bring together high level delegations from all countries with active hydro development programmes underway, to discuss priorities, achievements and challenges.

To visit the homepage of HYDRO 2011, please click here.

News & Events

News
Our events
Newsletter
Press area