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The Danger of Subsidized Solar: How Government and Donors Unwittingly Hobbled Our Business
After entering Myanmar as the country's first pay-as-you go solar power provider in 2015, Brighterlite recently ceased operations there, losing the nearly US $2 million invested in the startup. Jørund Buen, co-founder of the firm that owns Brighterlite, explains what went wrong – and the role that government and donors played in the failure.
- Categories
- Energy, Social Enterprise
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There is Such a Thing as Too Much, Too Fast: Avoiding ‘Mismatched Expectations’ in Off-Grid Energy Investing
A recent post by impact investing firm Ceniarth on the "Energy Access Hype Cycle" has generated considerable discussion, prompting critical responses from fellow impact investors Persistent Energy Capital and the off-grid lighting trade organization GOGLA. With this post, writers at the IFC join the discussion, analyzing the effect of rapid growth rates, high levels of consumer financing and operational efficiency on the liquidity of solar home system providers.
- Categories
- Energy, Investing, Technology
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Press release: IEEE Awards $1.2 Million for Off-Grid Energy Entrepreneurs
IEEE, the world's largest technical professional organization advancing technology for humanity, announced that IEEE Smart Village (ISV) has granted $1.2 million in new funds for selected sustainable energy projects with a potential life-changing impact on up to seven million people around the world.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
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USADF, All On partner to invest in off-grid energy in Nigeria
UNited States African Development Foundation (USADF) and All On have announced a three-year partnership that will see both parties provide a $3million-fund to expand access to energy for underserved and unserved markets in Nigeria and boost operations of Nigerian owned off-grid energy companies.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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As India goes big on renewables, bright minds are looking to develop innovative tech
India has big plans when it comes to renewable energy. The government has set itself ambitious targets, including commissioning 175 gigawatts of renewable energy by the year 2022.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology
- Region
- South Asia
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Off-Grid Electricity Projects Are Starved for Funds
A first-of-its-kind analysis of the flow of capital, released in September by the United Nations’ Sustainable Energy for All program, shows that off-grid systems simply are not getting the support they deserve.
- Categories
- Energy
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Unlocking an Energy Revolution in Ethiopia With Lessons From the Black Market
A rapidly growing market for solar lanterns and home kits is driving an energy revolution in Ethiopia. Like many low-income countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, Ethiopia is a point of focus for international development and finance institutions as well as donors. Such organizations are channelizing tens of millions of dollars into Ethiopia for energy access. In order to maximize the impact of their investments, they need to have an understanding of local requirements in order to provide tailored financial flows.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- off-grid energy
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Study says keeping 1 billion people in the dark costs poor countries dearly
Research from the Overseas Development Institute shows improving access to off-grid electricity, such as solar-home systems and clean energy mini-grids, can boost development.
- Categories
- Energy