Earth Equity News

Bringing Low-Cost Solar to the World's Poor. By Jeffrey Marlow, NYTimes, October 16, 2009. "For decades, governments and non-governmental organizations have been trying to bring electricity to the world's poorest and most isolated regions through million-dollar donations and large-scale projects. A small start-up company, headquartered in the Republic of Mauritius off the southeastern coast of Africa, is pursuing what it considers a different tack: a market-based approach, employing local villagers, selling rudimentary solar panels and focusing on small-scale, personal electricity use... ToughStuff's primary product is a 1-watt, thin-film solar panel that is flexible, waterproof, and about the size of a piece of paper. It has no glass and has nearly indestructible parts. Maintenance fees are nearly non-existent, and operation is easy and intuitive. The panel itself costs less than $15, and considering what villagers typically spend on kerosene, batteries, and generators, 'the payback period is just about 12 weeks for the average person in the developing world,' said Nick Sowden, the company's director of business development in the United States... ToughStuff introduced its panels in Madagascar earlier this year, and villagers are using the devices to light small rooms, power radios and charge mobile phones... Pilot projects are under way in 26 other countries, and a full-scale marketing effort in eastern Africa is slated for later this year. While solar panels are the focus for the time being, Mr. Sowden said, 'the biggest long-term value we are going to bring is in building distribution networks.' ToughStuff employs local people to sell its products, which allows the company extensive reach in rural regions. Salesmen reap a 30% profit on each panel they sell."