A tremendous opportunity exists to power countless energy-starved households with affordable, reliable, safe energy.  Globally, 1.7 billion people live without electricity, with 500+ million in Sub-Saharan Africa alone.

Off-grid Africans spend astonishing sums on the energy within their reach (kerosene, sporadic cell phone charging, batteries).  $8 billion is spent annually on lighting by off-grid Africans, predominantly for kerosene (a significant contributor to indoor air pollution, which claims 1.6 million lives each year).  Mobile phone penetration has outgrown the grid and the gap is rapidly growing – by 2015 there will be an estimated 400 million total off-grid mobile phone owners across Africa. (Sources: World Bank/IFC, WHO, World Bank/Dalberg)

Rise Solar is an early-stage, for-profit social venture building an extremely affordable solar system to provide energy at half the cost of current solar options for those who see potential to light and power communities to improve incomes, productivity and health. We think about impact along several lines:

Quality of Life for End-Users 
Affordably powering mobile phones, rechargeable lights and small batteries, our technology will address key energy needs of off-grid individuals, empowering them to lead more productive, healthier lives.

Income for Entrepreneurs 
Charging mobile phones, lights and small batteries in their communities for a small fee, entrepreneurs will create new, reliable income streams. One entrepreneur’s initial reaction to Rise Solar’s “business-in-a-box”: 

Opening New Markets for Investors 
We will further validate growth rooted in African – and other vast, developing – markets.