Solubrite

Imagine a life without electricity. Really think it through for one minute… Imagine, if you couldn’t quickly switch on the lights, refrigerate your food, turn on the stove, enjoy a hot shower in the morning, charge your phone, or enjoy any electronic entertainment devices.
You and everyone else around you depend on the daylight to structure the day. Today almost all aspects of our lives depend on electricity – may it be private or economical. Sure, we have spent days without power, but we were on vacation. We didn’t have to worry about daily life challenges.
However, for people living in the most remote and rural areas of in Nicaragua, one of the poorest countries in the world, this is still a reality. According to the world bank in 2016, about 50% of Nicaragua’s rural population has not yet been connected to the grid. Nicaragua‘s government claims that only 10% are off the grid. Nonetheless, this makes up about 600 000 people without electricity.
We were excited to meet with Claudia Vallecillo, Innovation Director, and Mauricio Midence, Head of Nicaragua Operations at Solubrite to hear more about their exciting projects and existing challenges. Solobrite’s basic solar kit consists of a solar panel and a lamp. It provides light for one household for 8-24 hours per day.
The company wants to bring clean, renewable energy to the most rural areas in Central America. Providing basic solar kits to remote regions enormously benefits the population but is also extremely challenging. Not just the lack of infrastructure is an issue. Solubrite’s clients are also demanding. Bringing solar energy to off-the-grid areas frequently means a rough march through partially unsafe regions. Claudia tells us that once their agents arrive, it’s often not the individuals they need to convince. The decision-making process in those communities often varies from ours. Many times, they need to win over the village leader or representative. Solubrite’s agents have to overcome peoples’ suspicions and concerns towards new technologies first.
PAYGO offers an opportunity to those who typically wouldn’t qualify for any type of credit. It functions like microcredits which are given out without bureaucratic hassle or traditional securities. Families are usually able to pay back the costs of the solar kid within 8 to 15 months.
Afterward, they get to keep the kit. Alternatively, they can use their gained financial standing to upgrade to more powerful equipment. As so often the case with microcredits, the payback rate is very high, Claudia tells us.
An impact study conducted by Solobrite in Panama indicated an increase in areas of education, security, and savings.
Furthermore, perceived economic development has risen. We heard the story of a woman who now, thanks to her light can sew after dark. It enables her to gain an income for her and her children. Other communities also appreciate an increase in perceived safety.
Solubrite’s survey also demonstrated an impact on the children’s grades because they were able to study after dark.
Last but not least, the solar kid offers an alternative to petrol or kerosine based light and electricity sources. Despite harming the environment, they are also prone to accidents.
The installment of just one light per household can tremendously benefit individuals and even the community as a whole. That’s Solobrite’s motivation! They want to tackle existing challenges and provide clean energy to even more people. Mauricio Midence, Director of Nicaragua Operations, dreams of reaching 1500 households in 2018. Additionally, Solubrite aims to extend its product range to a water filter. They also want to introduce clean, filtered water to remote areas.
We’ll definitely catch up then and let you know if they made it! We find Solubrite’s approach inspiring and wish them the best of luck in the future. If you want to learn more about them, click here.
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