Sun-Connect eG brings solar energy to people living in developing countries who have no access to clean, reliable and affordable energy. As of today, we talk about approximately 1.2 billion people worldwide (2014).

 

Energy is an important pillar for economic and social development – and hereby also a key for poverty alleviation.

 

As cooperative we combine our social concern with economic sustainability and ecology:

• We enable families and small enterprises in developing countries to achieve clean and affordable electricity through an established and proven installment purchase model.

• We enable our local partner organizations the purchase of solar products and we support them regarding maintenance and service.

• We enable our members to combine their social and ecological concern with financial profit.

 

As a member of Sun-Connect eG you benefit from the financial success of our cooperative – and you enable social and sustainable development in our partner countries at the same time.

 

Sun-Connect eG collaborates closely with the Stiftung Solarenergie – Solar Energy Foundation. The cooperative continues in the economic field, what the Stiftung Solarenergie has initiated since 2004 with donations and still supports through training of solar technicians needed in the partner countries for installation and reliable maintenance and pilot projects. We are not concerned about one-off aid measures. Our intention is to establish a sustainable solar business and the sufficient supply of the rural population with reliable, clean and affordable energy.

 

The cooperative Sun-Connect eG acts profit-oriented but not profit-maximizing. The aim is a balance of social, economic and ecological sustainability.

 

Our Experience

Sun-Connect eG was initiated by the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation - which has been active in rural electrification in Africa and Asia since ten years now.

 

Especially the ‘Revolving Fund’ developed by the Stiftung Solarenergie is an important base for the activities of Sun-Connect eG: The financing model, implemented for the first time in 2008, allows households to buy a Solar Home System through an installment purchase model. The idea is simple: Withe the money that is already being spent today for monthly energy needs, the cost of the Solar Home System can be paid back in installments. Over a period of several years the money flows back into the Revolving Fund and is then available again to finance the next Solar Home Systems.

 

Maintenance and service are free in the first years. Afterwards, there is the option for a customer to close a maintenance contract for a fee with the local service center. In this way our projects serve at the same time as a sustainable development measure for the local business.