Introduction

The Mobile Solar Kiosk (MSK) is a mobile charging point, which can be attached to bicycles and mopeds. It offers a micro solution to quickly charge cell phones for people on the go, using renewable energy technology. The Quick Charge has two retractable solar panels with 40 watts each at the top, a lock system to keep the cell phone system and the solar panels secured at night, as well as, a lithium battery to store electricity for night charging. A manual charging mechanism can be used when the device is on a stationary position and in the case of bad weather. Since the whole system is on wheels, MSK can go where the customers are or where they gather, such as at market places, churches or bus stops. The whole unit is fitted onto a plastic body, which can also offer space for advertisement. The product is only a prototype at this stage.

Background Information

It is an undisputed fact that mobile phones can drive progress in developing and emerging markets. Due to technological advancements in mobile services, the prices for mobile phones have become so low that access to mobiles is widespread. Charging these phones, however, is often a significant problem. In many countries, mobile penetration has far outpaced the growth of the electricity grid, and even when it is available, the connection is often unaffordable and/or unreliable. This means that people often have to undertake long journeys to reach the next power source and that there is a huge demand for affordable backup options.

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  Social Impact

  ARED has a triple bottom impact on the ground.

  • Environmental impact: Our technology is powered by solar energy, from the electronics on the kiosk and the phone charging. Due to challenges with energy access in Africa, solar energy is the most reliable energy source in Africa.
  • Social & economic impact: Our solar kiosk provides micro entrepreneurship opportunities in the communities we serve. Kiosk operators are recruited from the community and also receive training on how to run a business. There is a focus on women and people with disabilities to truly empower the different groups that have low economic opportunities.
  • Technological impact: One of the challenges of last mile connectivity is the cost of the internet. So, we developed a multi service digital edge network to help facilitate the access of digital applications by storing applications on the mini-server and distributed via WIFI.

  Future Plans

  ARED is currently developing a 2.0 mini-server that will increase storage capacity and enable more digital services and applications for users. We are also working on adding two more countries, Senegal and Nigeria, in partnership with telecom companies to continue our growth on the ground but also solidify our B2B2C approach with telecom companies.

  Main Target Group

  Our two key customers are NGOs and telecom companies.

  Main User

  • Consumers – Villagers who do not have a system of their own and are pure off-takers.
  • Prosumers – Villagers with a solar home system (SHS) who, at times, need more power (and other times less). They can be a net-producer or consumer depending on their usage pattern.
  • Producers – Villagers who turn out to be solar entrepreneurs who obtain solar generation and storage assets for the purpose of selling.