If one purchases the unit, is there a way you can deliver it and what is the delivery cost or do you have a distribution center in Ethiopia? DA

In reply to whether the systems are leased or sold, he writes ‘sold’…

“The cost and payoff time varies a little by country as you would expect (for example there are variations in transport costs, distribution costs and local taxes between locations). In Kenya the weekly fee is 100KSH (approx $1.10) for our “duo” product with 2 lights and phone charging.

After a period of time, the product is deemed to be paid up and the customer has the option to buy the product out for a small fee or upgrade to a larger system. Again, this period varies a little between country but is normally between 18 and 24 months.

Our initial estimates suggest that typical users save in excess of $2/week with the kerosene and phone charging costs they save, with some users saving much more than this.”

In reply to a question about how upgrades work…

“People return the old system and get a new one (with the exception of the lights/wiring unless it needs replacement, as it is pointless to take down old one only to put the same thing back). We then refurbish and reintroduce the old systems. The weekly fee for the new larger systems takes into account the fact that we have recovered some value from the old system so they pay less than if we had to cover the full cost of the new system.”

Rough math says that Eight19 is able to get people in ownership of a basic lighting/phone charging system for somewhere just above $100US.

($1.10 x 52 weeks x 2 years = $114.40)

After two years they should have free power for a few years. The battery will need to be replaced after a few years and the LEDs after several. The panel should last a lifetime or more.

“But this is only half the story. Today a user may purchase an entry-level IndiGo system capable of lighting 2 rooms and charging one mobile phone. But over time, that person’s requirements will grow. They may want more lights, to power a radio or TV or even power a sewing machine to enable them to make more money. IndiGo grows with these needs allowing customers to ride the “energy escalator” by which products are progressively upgraded over time to grow from simple systems to full home electrification.”

They say “purchase”.

Here’s what Eight19 says about the cost – ” in Kenya, IndiGo deployments are so cost-effective that users spend half as much on their IndiGo solutions that they previously did on kerosene.”

If it’s a lease, it’s a good deal for the users. They get cleaner, safer, more convenient power for half what they were paying for kerosene. (And kerosene won’t charge cell phones, radios or computers.)

If it’s a purchase system, it’s an even better deal.

And this is the beginning of bringing solar to people who might never receive grid power. Other companies will appear, competition will make for even better deals.

Just like cell phones quickly spread in parts of the world where land lines were non-existent or limited small solar systems are likely to let people leap over ‘old tech’ and rapidly improve their lives.

Kerosene is an ongoing cost and the fumes are nothing but nasty. (I lived with kerosene light for a few months and I remember my relatives talking about how great it was to get grid power and no longer have to use liquid fuel lamps.)

This is an absolutely great idea. I really hope this company has its stuff together and makes a go of it. The idea that someone could purchase a small solar system that gave them cleaner, safer, and more convenient light for less than they had be paying for lamp fuel is excellent.

That purchasers can pay ‘on time’, paying less than what they had been spending for kerosene is excellent plus.

Lots of these people, if they had cell phones, were having to walk miles to get them charged or sending them via bus to where the grid stopped.

Next, $35 table computers and enough solar to charge them. Access to information and communication will make major changes in quality of life for many. There might not be a doctor close by, but if one can get good medical advice on line….