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CONDUCTING A FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE VIABILITY OF AN INNOVATIVE BUSINESS MODEL FOR BRINGING SOLAR ENERGY TO REMOTE COMMUNITIES AND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Objective

PROBLEM: 1.1 billion people, most of whom live in developing regions of Asia and Africa, lack access to electricity. The
primary light source for them are kerosene lamps, which are not only costly, but also has negative impact on human health,
resulting in illness and even mortalities. Existing solar-powered products are too expensive for households with a $20
monthly income. Booming trends of mobile subscriptions and smartphone adoption in developing countries mean there is
also a growing need to charge the phones.
SOLUTION: Solet Technics has developed a prototype of a mobile solar power generator, PAWAME which offers a cheap
and reliable access to electricity for off-grid households. The company is planning to distribute PAWAME solution using local agents, and infrastructure, payment system and brand recognition of Telcos, which enables fast market uptake and scaling
of the product. It will also be easy and convenient for the user to pay for electricity via phone. The ‘rent-to-own’ model makes
the product accessible to low income households: no upfront investments needed. User-friendly and unique product design
enables simple usage for the end-user. Customer can login to see his payment plan information, usage data, etc. Unique
product features also include theft protection – PAWAME sends its location and if somebody tries to force to open it, it is
remotely notified and can be tracked and traced all the time. The device has been tailored to fit to the needs of both end-user
and Telcos.
NEXT STEPS: Thorough market analysis and an elaboration of a business plan is needed in order to define strategic
commercialization. This feasibility study will be a crucial step towards commercialization of Solarize. Further in the future,
Solet Technics plans to bring PAWAME to industrial readiness and maturity for introduction to the global market, providing
solar electricity to more than 200 thousand households and generating profit of 3 million euros by the year 2020

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Programme(s)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.

SME-1 - SME instrument phase 1

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Call for proposal

Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.

(opens in new window) H2020-SMEInst-2016-2017

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Coordinator

UAB SOLET TECHNICS
Net EU contribution

Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.

€ 50 000,00
Address
ZIRMUNU G. 139
09120 VILNIUS
Lithuania

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SME

The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.

Yes
Region
Lietuva Sostinės regionas Vilniaus apskritis
Activity type
Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)
Links
Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

€ 71 429,00
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