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An electricity meter remains affixed to one of the few intact elements of a microgrid customer's home in Les Anglais.
After three long days of radio silence, we were able to re-establish communication with our team and confirmed that all EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp team members are safe and accounted for. Most Les Anglais homes and businesses were destroyed or severely damaged. Trees have been reduced to stumps. We don't yet know the full toll of casualties. So far, people are taking the situation in stride, sheltering where they can, and relying on well water.
The EarthSpark microgrid fared comparatively well. We lost ~25% of the solar panels, but the generation system is largely intact. We're now working with multiple stakeholders on a plan to temporarily retool the energy assets to power urgent disaster relief efforts. Most of the homes and businesses connected to the grid were destroyed, so beyond relief work, we will plan in tandem with reconstruction efforts to re-establish the poles-and-wires distribution system of electricity for the town.
Many thanks to everyone who helped directly or expressed concern as we worked to re-establish contact with our team. We stand with the people of Les Anglais and all of Haiti's southwest peninsula as they work to recover and reconstruct.
Here are some more photos from Les Anglais just after the storm.
Donations will help re-establish and expand electricity service in Les Anglais and the hurricane-effected region. Please donate here now.
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When Hurricane Matthew made landfall in Haiti via Les Anglais, EarthSpark's team, grid, and customers were at the very center of the storm. Since all communication is still down in the area, and roads and bridges have been wiped out, we don't yet know the extent of the damage and loss in Les Anglais. As the storm was approaching, many helped prepare sandbags to protect the generation system from damage, and our international team, Adam and Wendy, managed a controlled disconnection of all power components just before the storm to maximize safety and the potential for restoration.
Once we know the status of the components we will be able to assess if and how we can use what remains to power relief efforts. Right now, we are most anxious to hear from our team, customers, and friends in Les Anglais. We will let you know as soon as we hear from them. The community will be reeling from the effects of this storm for months to come. EarthSpark will work to get the lights back on and the power flowing to help the community and the region recover.
Once we know the status of the components we will be able to assess if and how we can use what remains to power relief efforts. Right now, we are most anxious to hear from our team, customers, and friends in Les Anglais. We will let you know as soon as we hear from them. The community will be reeling from the effects of this storm for months to come. EarthSpark will work to get the lights back on and the power flowing to help the community and the region recover.
Many helped fill sandbags to protect the generation system from potential flooding as Hurricane Matthew approached.
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by Alex Fisher
EarthSpark frequently talks about its goal of building 80 community microgrids in Haiti in the next 5 years, but what does it take to actually get those grids built? Critical elements of a microgrid development plan: knowing where those grids should go, what they should look like, and who the local champions will be. Other than hearsay and satellite imagery, however, there was very little credible data upon which to base such a plan in Haiti. EarthSpark’s recent undertaking – a national microgrid market study for Haiti – has illuminated the details of demand for electrification in rural Haitian towns.
EarthSpark frequently talks about its goal of building 80 community microgrids in Haiti in the next 5 years, but what does it take to actually get those grids built? Critical elements of a microgrid development plan: knowing where those grids should go, what they should look like, and who the local champions will be. Other than hearsay and satellite imagery, however, there was very little credible data upon which to base such a plan in Haiti. EarthSpark’s recent undertaking – a national microgrid market study for Haiti – has illuminated the details of demand for electrification in rural Haitian towns.
Figure 1 – Picture of Researchers during Training Session in Les Anglais
With generous funding from the US Trade and Development Agency and the Nathan Cummings Foundation, EarthSpark International, Energy and Security Group, and The Haiti Energy Institute recently completed a countrywide market study of the potential for town-sized, solar-powered microgrids across Haiti. The study was conducted for EarthSpark’s Haitian social enterprise spin-off, Enèji Pwòp, S.A. in order to facilitate a fundable plan for microgrid development. Following a desk study of un-electrified Haitian towns, field research was undertaken in 89 rural towns from July-October of 2015.
Research Parameters
The study sample targeted towns with no or limited grid access. With the list of towns finalized, the surveys were designed with input from anthropologists, microgrid consultants, and energy policy advisors with a background in the Haitian cultural and energy contexts and focused upon the following research parameters:
· Energy demand / energy expenditures
· Private generation and appliance ownership
· Current political situation
· Strength of community organizations
· Town infrastructure and ease of accessibility (police station, bank, wire transfer services, roads, ports, etc.)
· Economic drivers and market activity
· Key crops
· Geographic distribution of buildings, town size / density
· NGO and Diaspora presence
Field Team
The field research team consisted of 20 teams of two researchers, hailing mostly from Haiti, Canada, and the US. Thanks to partnerships with three local universities, Université Quisqueya, Université d’Etat d’Haïti, and Enstiti Travay Sosyal ak Syans Sosyal, 30 Masters level Haitian students were recommended by the deans of their respective universities for research positions.
EarthSpark partnered with the Haitian Energy Institute, which was instrumental in managing logistics of the site visits and on-the-ground interviews. The partners ran a weeklong training session, or “microgrid bootcamp,” in Les Anglais, Haiti, home to EarthSpark’s first microgrid. The training included a multi-disciplinary curriculum on electricity, solar generation, survey methodology, and practice interviews.
Research Parameters
The study sample targeted towns with no or limited grid access. With the list of towns finalized, the surveys were designed with input from anthropologists, microgrid consultants, and energy policy advisors with a background in the Haitian cultural and energy contexts and focused upon the following research parameters:
· Energy demand / energy expenditures
· Private generation and appliance ownership
· Current political situation
· Strength of community organizations
· Town infrastructure and ease of accessibility (police station, bank, wire transfer services, roads, ports, etc.)
· Economic drivers and market activity
· Key crops
· Geographic distribution of buildings, town size / density
· NGO and Diaspora presence
Field Team
The field research team consisted of 20 teams of two researchers, hailing mostly from Haiti, Canada, and the US. Thanks to partnerships with three local universities, Université Quisqueya, Université d’Etat d’Haïti, and Enstiti Travay Sosyal ak Syans Sosyal, 30 Masters level Haitian students were recommended by the deans of their respective universities for research positions.
EarthSpark partnered with the Haitian Energy Institute, which was instrumental in managing logistics of the site visits and on-the-ground interviews. The partners ran a weeklong training session, or “microgrid bootcamp,” in Les Anglais, Haiti, home to EarthSpark’s first microgrid. The training included a multi-disciplinary curriculum on electricity, solar generation, survey methodology, and practice interviews.
Survey Methodology
Each research team used two Android tablets to undertake surveys of businesses, households, community leaders, and politicians. Based on their interviews and observations, each team delivered qualitative and quantitative reports for each town. The survey questionnaires were uploaded using Open Data Kit software, to ease the collection and maintenance of data.
Each research team used two Android tablets to undertake surveys of businesses, households, community leaders, and politicians. Based on their interviews and observations, each team delivered qualitative and quantitative reports for each town. The survey questionnaires were uploaded using Open Data Kit software, to ease the collection and maintenance of data.
Figure 2 – Field Researchers observing standalone generation
An in-house geospatial analysis of each of the towns was undertaken to determine the following: estimate of potential connections, building density, and flood risk. GIS tools used for the study were Google EarthEngine API and QGIS. This project also included a desk study of relevant laws, regulations and decrees relevant to micro-grid development and operation in Haiti, outlining opportunities and challenges.
Figure 3 – Results of Market Study (Map Imagery: Bing)
Results
Overall
Based on the survey information and geospatial analysis, towns were ranked based on their suitability as sites for solar microgrids. Rankings were based on scores in four categories: business energy demand, overall energy demand and fuel use, economic potential, and accessibility. Figure 3 below illustrates the town rankings, with larger circles in green representing the towns with the highest potential score for microgrid suitability (and smaller, red circles representing towns with the lowest score). The map in Figure 4 illustrates the towns with the highest business energy expenditures, while the map in Figure 6 represents the towns with the highest estimated overall energy expenditures. These results will help to inform the future of off-grid electrification in the country.
Town-Specific
Additionally, write-ups for each town based on all of the survey and mapping data were compiled as part of the final report for the study. Individual maps for each town, assessing the number of potential connections, the density of buildings, and the density of energy demand have been put together, where the relevant information is available. In Figure 6 below is an energy density demand map of Acul du Nord, and a building density map is shown in Figure 7.
Overall
Based on the survey information and geospatial analysis, towns were ranked based on their suitability as sites for solar microgrids. Rankings were based on scores in four categories: business energy demand, overall energy demand and fuel use, economic potential, and accessibility. Figure 3 below illustrates the town rankings, with larger circles in green representing the towns with the highest potential score for microgrid suitability (and smaller, red circles representing towns with the lowest score). The map in Figure 4 illustrates the towns with the highest business energy expenditures, while the map in Figure 6 represents the towns with the highest estimated overall energy expenditures. These results will help to inform the future of off-grid electrification in the country.
Town-Specific
Additionally, write-ups for each town based on all of the survey and mapping data were compiled as part of the final report for the study. Individual maps for each town, assessing the number of potential connections, the density of buildings, and the density of energy demand have been put together, where the relevant information is available. In Figure 6 below is an energy density demand map of Acul du Nord, and a building density map is shown in Figure 7.
Figure 4 – Business Energy Expenditures by Town (Map Imagery: Bing)
Figure 5 – Diesel and Gasoline Use by Town (Map Imagery: Bing)
Figure 6 – Density of Energy Demand – Acul du Nord (Map Imagery: Google and DigitalGlobe)
Next Steps
With this information in hand, EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp are ever closer to reaching the goal of building 80 microgrids across Haiti. A public version of the report is forthcoming.
Beyond Haiti, EarthSpark is now well positioned to leverage its research methodology and survey experience to undertake or facilitate similar market studies in other countries seeking visibility into microgrid development potential.
With this information in hand, EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp are ever closer to reaching the goal of building 80 microgrids across Haiti. A public version of the report is forthcoming.
Beyond Haiti, EarthSpark is now well positioned to leverage its research methodology and survey experience to undertake or facilitate similar market studies in other countries seeking visibility into microgrid development potential.
Figure 7 – Building Density in Anse à Foleur (Map Imagery: Google and DigitalGlobe)
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Here we feature an excerpt from the Rocky Mountain Institute's recent blog "Changing Lives with Solar Microgrids". Read the full article here.
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EarthSpark began working in Haiti providing people with small solar home systems and solar lanterns, products that are life-changing tools for people without access to grid electricity. But the organization soon realized that those aren’t the solutions to which everyone aspires. “To truly unlock economic opportunity, people need access to higher levels of electricity than what a solar home system can provide,” Allison Archambault, president of EarthSpark International, told RMI.
“With the right conditions minigrids can provide energy services in a low-cost sweet spot between small levels of energy consumption that can be effectively served by small stand-alone solar systems and traditional grid extension,” according to Eric Wanless, a principal in RMI’s international practice leading the Sustainable Energy for Economic Development initiative. EarthSpark isn’t the only group focusing on microgrids. Husk Power has brought electricity to 200,000 people in the highly unelectrified state of Bihar in India, using rice husks to fuel microgrids; Powerhive, Devergy, and PowerGen are bringing power to East Africa with solar microgrids; and Gham Power is building solar microgrids in rural Nepal.
A microgrid can give residences and businesses enough power to run motors, process agricultural products, and power freezers. Plus, much of the electricity used by rural industry is seasonal, such as an agricultural mill, which is used during harvest season and on market days. “Building an energy system just for that mill would mean an asset that is under-utilized much of the time,” adds Archambault. “But with a microgrid, you can use that capacity for other uses, and everyone buys down the cost for everyone else. We like to say our system is powerful enough to energize industry, and progressive enough to serve every single customer.”
Read the full article on RMI's blog here.
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EarthSpark began working in Haiti providing people with small solar home systems and solar lanterns, products that are life-changing tools for people without access to grid electricity. But the organization soon realized that those aren’t the solutions to which everyone aspires. “To truly unlock economic opportunity, people need access to higher levels of electricity than what a solar home system can provide,” Allison Archambault, president of EarthSpark International, told RMI.
“With the right conditions minigrids can provide energy services in a low-cost sweet spot between small levels of energy consumption that can be effectively served by small stand-alone solar systems and traditional grid extension,” according to Eric Wanless, a principal in RMI’s international practice leading the Sustainable Energy for Economic Development initiative. EarthSpark isn’t the only group focusing on microgrids. Husk Power has brought electricity to 200,000 people in the highly unelectrified state of Bihar in India, using rice husks to fuel microgrids; Powerhive, Devergy, and PowerGen are bringing power to East Africa with solar microgrids; and Gham Power is building solar microgrids in rural Nepal.
A microgrid can give residences and businesses enough power to run motors, process agricultural products, and power freezers. Plus, much of the electricity used by rural industry is seasonal, such as an agricultural mill, which is used during harvest season and on market days. “Building an energy system just for that mill would mean an asset that is under-utilized much of the time,” adds Archambault. “But with a microgrid, you can use that capacity for other uses, and everyone buys down the cost for everyone else. We like to say our system is powerful enough to energize industry, and progressive enough to serve every single customer.”
Read the full article on RMI's blog here.
- Published on
By Allison Archambault
Globally, the electricity sector is changing. Two megatrends underlie the necessity of the transition: Climate Change and Energy Access. Worldwide 1.2 billion people lack access to electricity and instead spend large amounts of money on low quality energy services such as kerosene, candles and charcoal. Each year, 4 million people die due to indoor air pollution from these inefficient sources of energy and countless more remain locked in poverty.
Ironically, important innovation in decarbonizing the global energy supply may come from remote villages that have not yet seen electricity. Where there is no incumbent infrastructure, there is an opportunity to build energy systems with today's best technologies and business models. These models that leverage clean energy, storage, smart grid, and customer participation can be adapted and transferred – South to North – to inform the evolving utility business models in established markets.
Smart Meters, Scalable Solutions
Building infrastructure from scratch – where no incumbent exists – means it is possible to leapfrog directly to today’s best technologies and business models, but best practices in smart grid, tariff structures, and grid resiliency have not yet been clearly defined for the ‘energy access’ markets. Enter EarthSpark. When no low-cost, high-functionality smart meters existed on the market for EarthSpark’s inaugural grid in 2012, EarthSpark developed prototype smart meters to meet its needs. In 2013, EarthSpark spun off the smart metering company SparkMeter, Inc., which is now enabling grid operators to increase energy access and improve operations in 5 countries. EarthSpark drives practical innovation to meet the needs of the rural poor, and EarthSpark is now developing a scalable model for microgrid development and operation. Bundling technical innovation, community engagement, diverse partnerships, and novel financing, EarthSpark is building project-based change and ‘de-risking by doing.’
EarthSpark International
EarthSpark is a non-profit organization working to expand access to high-quality energy services. EarthSpark's mission: eradicate energy poverty. Our method: do the research and development on business models that can spin off and scale to address specific aspects of energy poverty. So far, we have spun off Enèji Pwòp, S.A., a Haitian social enterprise, and SparkMeter, Inc., a smart meter technology company. We have also built a first-of-its-kind, town-sized, solar-powered, smart grid in rural Haiti.
Working in Haiti since 2009, EarthSpark International has sold over 18,000 small-scale clean energy products ranging from solar lanterns to efficient cookstoves. In 2012, EarthSpark turned on a first-of-its-kind privately operated pre-pay microgrid in Les Anglais, Haiti, a small town that had never before had grid electricity. In 2015, EarthSpark expanded the grid to 430 connections, directly serving over 2000 people with 24-hour electricity powered primarily by solar energy and battery storage, cutting customers’ energy costs by up to 80% over previous energy sources. The community-scale grid is large enough to power small industry while progressive enough to offer accessible service to every single resident living within the infrastructure’s footprint. For those living beyond the grid, EarthSpark continues to support local entrepreneurs in the sale and support of stand-alone solar products.
Globally, the electricity sector is changing. Two megatrends underlie the necessity of the transition: Climate Change and Energy Access. Worldwide 1.2 billion people lack access to electricity and instead spend large amounts of money on low quality energy services such as kerosene, candles and charcoal. Each year, 4 million people die due to indoor air pollution from these inefficient sources of energy and countless more remain locked in poverty.
Ironically, important innovation in decarbonizing the global energy supply may come from remote villages that have not yet seen electricity. Where there is no incumbent infrastructure, there is an opportunity to build energy systems with today's best technologies and business models. These models that leverage clean energy, storage, smart grid, and customer participation can be adapted and transferred – South to North – to inform the evolving utility business models in established markets.
Smart Meters, Scalable Solutions
Building infrastructure from scratch – where no incumbent exists – means it is possible to leapfrog directly to today’s best technologies and business models, but best practices in smart grid, tariff structures, and grid resiliency have not yet been clearly defined for the ‘energy access’ markets. Enter EarthSpark. When no low-cost, high-functionality smart meters existed on the market for EarthSpark’s inaugural grid in 2012, EarthSpark developed prototype smart meters to meet its needs. In 2013, EarthSpark spun off the smart metering company SparkMeter, Inc., which is now enabling grid operators to increase energy access and improve operations in 5 countries. EarthSpark drives practical innovation to meet the needs of the rural poor, and EarthSpark is now developing a scalable model for microgrid development and operation. Bundling technical innovation, community engagement, diverse partnerships, and novel financing, EarthSpark is building project-based change and ‘de-risking by doing.’
EarthSpark International
EarthSpark is a non-profit organization working to expand access to high-quality energy services. EarthSpark's mission: eradicate energy poverty. Our method: do the research and development on business models that can spin off and scale to address specific aspects of energy poverty. So far, we have spun off Enèji Pwòp, S.A., a Haitian social enterprise, and SparkMeter, Inc., a smart meter technology company. We have also built a first-of-its-kind, town-sized, solar-powered, smart grid in rural Haiti.
Working in Haiti since 2009, EarthSpark International has sold over 18,000 small-scale clean energy products ranging from solar lanterns to efficient cookstoves. In 2012, EarthSpark turned on a first-of-its-kind privately operated pre-pay microgrid in Les Anglais, Haiti, a small town that had never before had grid electricity. In 2015, EarthSpark expanded the grid to 430 connections, directly serving over 2000 people with 24-hour electricity powered primarily by solar energy and battery storage, cutting customers’ energy costs by up to 80% over previous energy sources. The community-scale grid is large enough to power small industry while progressive enough to offer accessible service to every single resident living within the infrastructure’s footprint. For those living beyond the grid, EarthSpark continues to support local entrepreneurs in the sale and support of stand-alone solar products.
The Les Anglais solar array.
Unlocking Potential: From One to Eighty Grids
EarthSpark aims to build eighty microgrids in Haiti by the end of 2020. With one grid up and running, EarthSpark has learned much, but to get to 80, several barriers need to be cleared. With local partners, EarthSpark has led a 100-town microgrid market assessment for Haiti and worked at several levels to clarify the Haitian legal and regulatory landscape for microgrid development and operation. Planning is one thing, executing is another, and the ‘process risk’ in microgrid development remains extremely high.
EarthSpark is seeking grant funding to build the next three grids and, in parallel, to build the experience-backed fundable plan for the next 40 grids. EarthSpark’s microgrid development experience to-date has underlined the truth that implementation of a process – the actual building of grids – is by far the best way to de-risk the process for future developments.
Integrated Electrification: Empowering People with more than Watt-Hours
Electricity in and of itself is useless. It’s what one does with each watt-hour that is truly transformative. With highly efficient appliances, productive uses of electricity, and thoughtful demand management, not only can customers make the most of newly available electricity, operators can maximize customer value and grid revenue. EarthSpark works with communities and customers to deeply assess energy service needs and opportunities. EarthSpark also takes a ‘feminist electrification’ approach to infrastructure planning, ensuring that women’s voices and roles are important throughout the planning and implementation of the electrification process.
Microgrids, Community Resilience + Sustainable Energy for All
To meet Sustainable Energy for All goals, 40% of all new connections will come from microgrids. Around the world, local governments are looking to microgrids to harden critical infrastructure and improve resiliency. Innovation is portable, and in building a model for clean, smart, transformative community infrastructure, EarthSpark is pursuing deep solutions to both energy access and climate change. Join us!
EarthSpark aims to build eighty microgrids in Haiti by the end of 2020. With one grid up and running, EarthSpark has learned much, but to get to 80, several barriers need to be cleared. With local partners, EarthSpark has led a 100-town microgrid market assessment for Haiti and worked at several levels to clarify the Haitian legal and regulatory landscape for microgrid development and operation. Planning is one thing, executing is another, and the ‘process risk’ in microgrid development remains extremely high.
EarthSpark is seeking grant funding to build the next three grids and, in parallel, to build the experience-backed fundable plan for the next 40 grids. EarthSpark’s microgrid development experience to-date has underlined the truth that implementation of a process – the actual building of grids – is by far the best way to de-risk the process for future developments.
Integrated Electrification: Empowering People with more than Watt-Hours
Electricity in and of itself is useless. It’s what one does with each watt-hour that is truly transformative. With highly efficient appliances, productive uses of electricity, and thoughtful demand management, not only can customers make the most of newly available electricity, operators can maximize customer value and grid revenue. EarthSpark works with communities and customers to deeply assess energy service needs and opportunities. EarthSpark also takes a ‘feminist electrification’ approach to infrastructure planning, ensuring that women’s voices and roles are important throughout the planning and implementation of the electrification process.
Microgrids, Community Resilience + Sustainable Energy for All
To meet Sustainable Energy for All goals, 40% of all new connections will come from microgrids. Around the world, local governments are looking to microgrids to harden critical infrastructure and improve resiliency. Innovation is portable, and in building a model for clean, smart, transformative community infrastructure, EarthSpark is pursuing deep solutions to both energy access and climate change. Join us!
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par Allison Archambault, traduit par Daphné Joseph-Gabriel
Mondialement, le secteur énergétique change. Deux tendances majeures sous-tendent cette nécessité d'une transition: le changement climatique et l'accès à l'énergie. De part le monde, 1,2 milliard de personnes n'ont pas accès à l'électricité et, à la place, dépensent de grosse somme d’argent pour des services énergétiques de piètre qualité, tels que le kérosène, les bougies et le charbon de bois. Chaque année 4 millions de personnes succombent aux pollutions intérieures de l'air causées par ces sources inefficaces d'énergie, et un nombre incommensurable reste coincé dans la pauvreté.
Ironiquement, l'impulsion majeure dans l'innovation de la décarbonisation de l'offre énergétique mondiale pourrait venir de villages reculés qui n'ont encore ni vu ni connu l'électricité. Là où il n'y a pas d'infrastructure au préalable, il existe une opportunité de mise en place de systèmes énergétiques qui utilisent les meilleurs modèles économiques et les technologies de pointes. Ces modèles qui mettent à profit une énergie verte, le stockage, les réseaux intelligents, et la participation du client peuvent être adaptés et transférés - du Sud au Nord - pour informer les modèles économiques des services en cours de mutation dans les marchés établis.
Mondialement, le secteur énergétique change. Deux tendances majeures sous-tendent cette nécessité d'une transition: le changement climatique et l'accès à l'énergie. De part le monde, 1,2 milliard de personnes n'ont pas accès à l'électricité et, à la place, dépensent de grosse somme d’argent pour des services énergétiques de piètre qualité, tels que le kérosène, les bougies et le charbon de bois. Chaque année 4 millions de personnes succombent aux pollutions intérieures de l'air causées par ces sources inefficaces d'énergie, et un nombre incommensurable reste coincé dans la pauvreté.
Ironiquement, l'impulsion majeure dans l'innovation de la décarbonisation de l'offre énergétique mondiale pourrait venir de villages reculés qui n'ont encore ni vu ni connu l'électricité. Là où il n'y a pas d'infrastructure au préalable, il existe une opportunité de mise en place de systèmes énergétiques qui utilisent les meilleurs modèles économiques et les technologies de pointes. Ces modèles qui mettent à profit une énergie verte, le stockage, les réseaux intelligents, et la participation du client peuvent être adaptés et transférés - du Sud au Nord - pour informer les modèles économiques des services en cours de mutation dans les marchés établis.
Compteurs intelligents, solutions adaptées
Construire une infrastructure ex nihilo - où rien n'existe au préalable - veut dire qu'il est possible de sauter directement aux technologies de pointe et aux meilleurs modèles économiques. Toutefois, les meilleures pratiques des réseaux intelligents, des structurations tarifaires, et de résilience du réseau n'ont pas encore été clairement définies pour les marchés où l'accès énergétique est un défi. C'est là qu'intervient EarthSpark. Lorsqu'aucun compteur intelligent bon marché à haute fonctionnalité n'existait sur le marché pour le réseau inaugural d'EarthSpark en 2012, EarthSpark a développé des compteurs intelligents prototypes pour répondre à ce besoin. En 2013, d'EarthSpark a essaimé l'entreprise de compteurs intelligents SparkMeter, Inc., qui permet désormais aux opérateurs de réseaux d'accroître l'accès à l'énergie et améliorer les opérations dans 5 pays. EarthSpark pousse à ce que l'innovation pragmatique corresponde aux besoins des populations rurales pauvres, et développe maintenant un modèle adaptable pour la mise en route d'un micro-réseau. Regroupant l'innovation technique, la participation communautaire, des partenariats divers, et un financement novateur, EarthSpark est en train de construire un changement projet par projet, et se faisant réduit considérablement le risque.
EarthSpark International
EarthSpark est une organisation à but non lucratif qui œuvre pour étendre l'accès aux services énergétiques de haute qualité. La mission d'EarthSpark: éradiquer la pauvreté énergétique. Notre méthode: mener la recherche et le développement de modèles économiques qui peuvent essaimer et s'adapter à des aspects bien spécifiques de la pauvreté énergétique. Pour l’instant, nous avons lancé Enèji Pwòp, S.A., une entreprise sociale haïtienne, ainsi que SparkMeter, Inc., une entreprise technologique de compteurs intelligents. Nous avons également construit le premier réseau intelligent en Haïti rural, à l'échelle du village et à énergie solaire, réseau unique en son genre.
Travaillant en Haïti depuis 2009, EarthSpark International a vendu plus de 18 000 produits énergétiques verts de petites échelles, allant de lanternes solaires à de cuisinières à basse consommation énergétique. En 2012, EarthSpark a mis en route le tout premier micro-réseau prépayé privé à Les Anglais en Haïti, un petit village qui jusqu'à maintenant n'avait jamais eu accès au réseau électrique. En 2015, EarthSpark a étendu le réseau à 430 connexions, reliant directement plus de 2000 personnes avec de l'électricité 24h sur 24, fournit principalement par de l'énergie solaire et stockée en batterie, ce qui a réduit jusqu'à 80% les coûts énergétiques pour les clients. Ce réseau à l'échelle de la communauté est assez puissant pour fournir du courant à de petites industries, tout en étant capable de proposer un service accessible à chacun des résidents qui vit dans l'espace d'opération de l'infrastructure. Pour ceux qui vivent au-delà, EarthSpark continue à soutenir des entrepreneurs locaux dans la vente et la confection de produits solaires indépendants.
Construire une infrastructure ex nihilo - où rien n'existe au préalable - veut dire qu'il est possible de sauter directement aux technologies de pointe et aux meilleurs modèles économiques. Toutefois, les meilleures pratiques des réseaux intelligents, des structurations tarifaires, et de résilience du réseau n'ont pas encore été clairement définies pour les marchés où l'accès énergétique est un défi. C'est là qu'intervient EarthSpark. Lorsqu'aucun compteur intelligent bon marché à haute fonctionnalité n'existait sur le marché pour le réseau inaugural d'EarthSpark en 2012, EarthSpark a développé des compteurs intelligents prototypes pour répondre à ce besoin. En 2013, d'EarthSpark a essaimé l'entreprise de compteurs intelligents SparkMeter, Inc., qui permet désormais aux opérateurs de réseaux d'accroître l'accès à l'énergie et améliorer les opérations dans 5 pays. EarthSpark pousse à ce que l'innovation pragmatique corresponde aux besoins des populations rurales pauvres, et développe maintenant un modèle adaptable pour la mise en route d'un micro-réseau. Regroupant l'innovation technique, la participation communautaire, des partenariats divers, et un financement novateur, EarthSpark est en train de construire un changement projet par projet, et se faisant réduit considérablement le risque.
EarthSpark International
EarthSpark est une organisation à but non lucratif qui œuvre pour étendre l'accès aux services énergétiques de haute qualité. La mission d'EarthSpark: éradiquer la pauvreté énergétique. Notre méthode: mener la recherche et le développement de modèles économiques qui peuvent essaimer et s'adapter à des aspects bien spécifiques de la pauvreté énergétique. Pour l’instant, nous avons lancé Enèji Pwòp, S.A., une entreprise sociale haïtienne, ainsi que SparkMeter, Inc., une entreprise technologique de compteurs intelligents. Nous avons également construit le premier réseau intelligent en Haïti rural, à l'échelle du village et à énergie solaire, réseau unique en son genre.
Travaillant en Haïti depuis 2009, EarthSpark International a vendu plus de 18 000 produits énergétiques verts de petites échelles, allant de lanternes solaires à de cuisinières à basse consommation énergétique. En 2012, EarthSpark a mis en route le tout premier micro-réseau prépayé privé à Les Anglais en Haïti, un petit village qui jusqu'à maintenant n'avait jamais eu accès au réseau électrique. En 2015, EarthSpark a étendu le réseau à 430 connexions, reliant directement plus de 2000 personnes avec de l'électricité 24h sur 24, fournit principalement par de l'énergie solaire et stockée en batterie, ce qui a réduit jusqu'à 80% les coûts énergétiques pour les clients. Ce réseau à l'échelle de la communauté est assez puissant pour fournir du courant à de petites industries, tout en étant capable de proposer un service accessible à chacun des résidents qui vit dans l'espace d'opération de l'infrastructure. Pour ceux qui vivent au-delà, EarthSpark continue à soutenir des entrepreneurs locaux dans la vente et la confection de produits solaires indépendants.
Le réseau solaire d'EarthSpark à Les Anglais en Haïti a apporté une électricité 24h sur 24 à 450 foyers et commerces.
Libérer le potentiel: de un à quatre-vingts réseaux
EarthSpark envisage de construire quatre-vingts micro-réseaux en Haïti d'ici la fin 2020. Avec un réseau en pleine opération, EarthSpark a beaucoup appris, mais pour arriver à 80, certaines barrières doivent être levées. Aux côtés de partenaires locaux, EarthSpark a mené pour Haïti une étude du marché des micro-réseaux dans 100 villes et a travaillé à plusieurs échelons afin de lever le voile sur le paysage légal et règlementaire d'Haïti pour le développement et la gestion de micro-réseaux. Planifier est une chose, exécuter est autre chose, et le risque dans le processus de développement de micro-réseaux demeure extrêmement élevé.
EarthSpark est à la recherche de subventions afin de construire les trois prochains réseaux et, en parallèle, afin de mettre en place le projet finançable et les études-terrains pour les prochains 40 réseaux à venir. L'expérience jusqu'à maintenant acquise par EarthSpark dans le déploiements de micro-réseaux à mis en évidence que l'implémentation du processus - la construction effective de réseaux - est de loin le meilleur moyen de réduire le risque de futurs déploiements.
Electrification intégrée: habiliter les populations avec plus que des wattheures
L'électricité en soi ne sert à rien. C'est ce qui est fait avec chaque wattheure qui est véritablement transformateur. Avec des appareils hautement efficaces, des usages productifs de l'électricité, et une gestion raisonnée de la demande, non seulement les clients peuvent profiter de l'électricité nouvellement disponible, les opérateurs peuvent aussi maximiser la valeur-client et les revenus du réseau. EarthSpark travaille avec les communautés et les clients afin de profondément mesurer les besoins et opportunités des services énergétiques. EarthSpark adopte également une approche "d'électrification féministe" envers la planification de l'infrastructure, faisant en sorte que les voix et les positions des femmes soient pleinement prises en compte tout au long de la planification et du déploiement du processus d'électrification.
Micro-réseaux, résilience communautaire + énergie durable pour tous
Afin d'atteindre les objectifs d'énergie durable pour tous, 40% de toutes les nouvelles connexions proviendront de micro-réseaux. De part le monde, les gouvernements locaux se tournent vers les micro-réseaux afin de fortifier les infrastructures critiques et améliorer la résilience. L'innovation est transférable, et dans la mise en place d'un modèle pour une infrastructure de communauté verte, intelligente, et transformative, EarthSpark développe des solutions profondes à la fois pour l'accès énergétique et le changement climatique. Rejoignez-nous!
EarthSpark envisage de construire quatre-vingts micro-réseaux en Haïti d'ici la fin 2020. Avec un réseau en pleine opération, EarthSpark a beaucoup appris, mais pour arriver à 80, certaines barrières doivent être levées. Aux côtés de partenaires locaux, EarthSpark a mené pour Haïti une étude du marché des micro-réseaux dans 100 villes et a travaillé à plusieurs échelons afin de lever le voile sur le paysage légal et règlementaire d'Haïti pour le développement et la gestion de micro-réseaux. Planifier est une chose, exécuter est autre chose, et le risque dans le processus de développement de micro-réseaux demeure extrêmement élevé.
EarthSpark est à la recherche de subventions afin de construire les trois prochains réseaux et, en parallèle, afin de mettre en place le projet finançable et les études-terrains pour les prochains 40 réseaux à venir. L'expérience jusqu'à maintenant acquise par EarthSpark dans le déploiements de micro-réseaux à mis en évidence que l'implémentation du processus - la construction effective de réseaux - est de loin le meilleur moyen de réduire le risque de futurs déploiements.
Electrification intégrée: habiliter les populations avec plus que des wattheures
L'électricité en soi ne sert à rien. C'est ce qui est fait avec chaque wattheure qui est véritablement transformateur. Avec des appareils hautement efficaces, des usages productifs de l'électricité, et une gestion raisonnée de la demande, non seulement les clients peuvent profiter de l'électricité nouvellement disponible, les opérateurs peuvent aussi maximiser la valeur-client et les revenus du réseau. EarthSpark travaille avec les communautés et les clients afin de profondément mesurer les besoins et opportunités des services énergétiques. EarthSpark adopte également une approche "d'électrification féministe" envers la planification de l'infrastructure, faisant en sorte que les voix et les positions des femmes soient pleinement prises en compte tout au long de la planification et du déploiement du processus d'électrification.
Micro-réseaux, résilience communautaire + énergie durable pour tous
Afin d'atteindre les objectifs d'énergie durable pour tous, 40% de toutes les nouvelles connexions proviendront de micro-réseaux. De part le monde, les gouvernements locaux se tournent vers les micro-réseaux afin de fortifier les infrastructures critiques et améliorer la résilience. L'innovation est transférable, et dans la mise en place d'un modèle pour une infrastructure de communauté verte, intelligente, et transformative, EarthSpark développe des solutions profondes à la fois pour l'accès énergétique et le changement climatique. Rejoignez-nous!
- Published on
by Adam Eberwein
Whether in the United States in the 1930’s or in Haiti in present day, rural electrification has always had one primary goal: improve people’s lives. But electricity alone cannot achieve this.
Access to grid electricity in Les Anglais has numerous immediate benefits for users at all consumption levels, benefits that can be seen simply by taking a walk through town on a typical evening. With 30 watts of power and LED lightbulbs, a woman can study for entrance examinations into a Port-au-Prince University. A 20-watt radio for one man and an 80-watt television for another provide access to news and sporting events, keeping these customers informed on issues that can impact their daily lives. A 50-watt fan provides another with much needed comfort after a day’s work in the hot sun, possibly stopping the Dengue Fever-carrying mosquito that would have bitten the owner. These all provide instances of improvements in quality of life, but the question that should be asked is, “What’s next?”
Introducing income-generating activities in Les Anglais through newly developed business ventures, taking advantage of the availability of affordable, reliable electricity, is an important aspect of EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp’s work in ‘integrated electrification.’ The business potential of electrification – the productive uses of electricity – can take many forms. For the upcoming corn season in southern Haiti, new customers flock to Les Anglais to use an electric-powered thresher provided by the local women’s coop that will remove dried corn kernels from the cob at a rate of a 180 pounds per hour, a rate significantly faster and less labor intensive than the 20 pounds per hour manual alternatives. A major businessman in town has access to an electric corn mill that, run alongside his existing diesel-powered mills, augments the throughput of corn in his milling business, saving his customers hours of standing in line with their buckets. A businesswoman sells refrigerated drinks from her recently purchased freezer to men visiting for the afternoon for a scheduled hearing at the courthouse.
Productive uses of electricity don’t always develop in a town on their own. EarthSpark is working with local businesses and customers to improve this. At times this might mean having a discussion with a customer on the proper use of storing frozen goods or troubleshooting why his or her freezer has failed and making recommendations.
To highlight this work, we’d like to share the story of local carpenter - Napoleon Jean Nasso. Napoleon had been hired by a local hotel to build doors and furniture specifically for the speed and quality that his electric power tools could provide. With a looming deadline, he needed to use his power saw, edge grinder and sanding tools. Unfortunately, inrush currents tripped the protective "mov" feature of his smart meter. EarthSpark staff worked tirelessly to overcome this. Solutions are commercially available for inrush current but not locally available. As a temporary strategy to help Napoleon meet his deadline, EarthSpark ordered inrush current dampening thermistors in the US, sized for his particular needs. Before the thermistors could arrive, EarthSpark staff members worked with Napoleon to assess which of his machinery he could use without tripping the meter so he could continue to work. After installing the thermistor, Napoleon was able to deliver on time.
These are some examples how EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp continue to support growth within Les Anglais in the pursuit of an improved and sustained quality of life.
Whether in the United States in the 1930’s or in Haiti in present day, rural electrification has always had one primary goal: improve people’s lives. But electricity alone cannot achieve this.
Access to grid electricity in Les Anglais has numerous immediate benefits for users at all consumption levels, benefits that can be seen simply by taking a walk through town on a typical evening. With 30 watts of power and LED lightbulbs, a woman can study for entrance examinations into a Port-au-Prince University. A 20-watt radio for one man and an 80-watt television for another provide access to news and sporting events, keeping these customers informed on issues that can impact their daily lives. A 50-watt fan provides another with much needed comfort after a day’s work in the hot sun, possibly stopping the Dengue Fever-carrying mosquito that would have bitten the owner. These all provide instances of improvements in quality of life, but the question that should be asked is, “What’s next?”
Introducing income-generating activities in Les Anglais through newly developed business ventures, taking advantage of the availability of affordable, reliable electricity, is an important aspect of EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp’s work in ‘integrated electrification.’ The business potential of electrification – the productive uses of electricity – can take many forms. For the upcoming corn season in southern Haiti, new customers flock to Les Anglais to use an electric-powered thresher provided by the local women’s coop that will remove dried corn kernels from the cob at a rate of a 180 pounds per hour, a rate significantly faster and less labor intensive than the 20 pounds per hour manual alternatives. A major businessman in town has access to an electric corn mill that, run alongside his existing diesel-powered mills, augments the throughput of corn in his milling business, saving his customers hours of standing in line with their buckets. A businesswoman sells refrigerated drinks from her recently purchased freezer to men visiting for the afternoon for a scheduled hearing at the courthouse.
Productive uses of electricity don’t always develop in a town on their own. EarthSpark is working with local businesses and customers to improve this. At times this might mean having a discussion with a customer on the proper use of storing frozen goods or troubleshooting why his or her freezer has failed and making recommendations.
To highlight this work, we’d like to share the story of local carpenter - Napoleon Jean Nasso. Napoleon had been hired by a local hotel to build doors and furniture specifically for the speed and quality that his electric power tools could provide. With a looming deadline, he needed to use his power saw, edge grinder and sanding tools. Unfortunately, inrush currents tripped the protective "mov" feature of his smart meter. EarthSpark staff worked tirelessly to overcome this. Solutions are commercially available for inrush current but not locally available. As a temporary strategy to help Napoleon meet his deadline, EarthSpark ordered inrush current dampening thermistors in the US, sized for his particular needs. Before the thermistors could arrive, EarthSpark staff members worked with Napoleon to assess which of his machinery he could use without tripping the meter so he could continue to work. After installing the thermistor, Napoleon was able to deliver on time.
These are some examples how EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp continue to support growth within Les Anglais in the pursuit of an improved and sustained quality of life.
- Published on
By Wendy Sanassee
EarthSpark and its local affiliate, Enèji Pwòp, are social enterprises building a model for community-based microgrids in Haiti. Knowing what the host-community needs and responding effectively are important drivers of operational sustainability. To strengthen communication with customers and community members, the Les Anglais Energy Committee was formally launched on April 26th. Its mission: Support the development and implementation of policies that help EarthSpark provide reliable, affordable electricity to the community. Specifically, the Energy Committee will be organizing events and serving as an additional communication channel connecting Enèji Pwòp, EarthSpark, local officials, and users of grid electricity.
EarthSpark and its local affiliate, Enèji Pwòp, are social enterprises building a model for community-based microgrids in Haiti. Knowing what the host-community needs and responding effectively are important drivers of operational sustainability. To strengthen communication with customers and community members, the Les Anglais Energy Committee was formally launched on April 26th. Its mission: Support the development and implementation of policies that help EarthSpark provide reliable, affordable electricity to the community. Specifically, the Energy Committee will be organizing events and serving as an additional communication channel connecting Enèji Pwòp, EarthSpark, local officials, and users of grid electricity.
Community Engagement Associate Wendy holds the first energy committee meeting.
The committee, which has an advisory role, consists of 10 members, carefully selected to reflect the diversity of the community. Candidates were chosen from various sectors like education, agriculture, business, and justice. Age and gender were also considered to ensure that youth and women were well represented. In the near future, when the mayor of Les Anglais is officially inaugurated, he will also send a representative. An executive committee of president, vice-president and secretary was elected by the committee through secret ballot. While committee members were hand selected for this inaugural term, Committee members will be elected by the community for subsequent terms.
The impact of the Committee has been astounding. Committee members are taking ownership by contributing to community meetings and answering customer questions and helping the community understand operations processes. To facilitate communication with the community, the committee members have agreed to have their contact details posted on the door of the Clean Energy Store (Magazen Enèji Pwòp).
The committee will meet monthly (or more frequently) with EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp representatives to share their opinions on matters important to the community. Members are not paid for their time, which is an amazing testament to their commitment and dedication.
Community engagement and customer service in Les Anglais has taken a great step forward with the creation of this energy committee. On one hand, we are even closer to our customers and can more easily align operations with their interests. On the other hand, the community now has a stronger voice to make its grievances and suggestions heard. This might just be the beginning of a new chapter in the energy access story of this small town of Haiti which we hope to replicate elsewhere.
The impact of the Committee has been astounding. Committee members are taking ownership by contributing to community meetings and answering customer questions and helping the community understand operations processes. To facilitate communication with the community, the committee members have agreed to have their contact details posted on the door of the Clean Energy Store (Magazen Enèji Pwòp).
The committee will meet monthly (or more frequently) with EarthSpark and Enèji Pwòp representatives to share their opinions on matters important to the community. Members are not paid for their time, which is an amazing testament to their commitment and dedication.
Community engagement and customer service in Les Anglais has taken a great step forward with the creation of this energy committee. On one hand, we are even closer to our customers and can more easily align operations with their interests. On the other hand, the community now has a stronger voice to make its grievances and suggestions heard. This might just be the beginning of a new chapter in the energy access story of this small town of Haiti which we hope to replicate elsewhere.
- Published on
By Wendy Sanassee
Meet Acholo Maurice, an unmissable face in Les Anglais. Though her large hat and beautiful smile make her recognizable, she is most well-known for her homemade spaghetti ice-creams, locally known as “krem”. Born on September 15, 1964 in the neighboring town of Tiburon, Acholo is her “ti non”or nickname. Her real name is Antonica Maurice. She moved to Les Anglais, her mother’s hometown, 50 years ago. She started the spaghetti cream business 8 months ago, about four months after the micro-grid was inaugurated. Acholo finds that her most dedicated customers are school children who find the cold dessert an ideal snack to cool down with on a hot sunny day.
Acholo would not have been able to start this business without electricity. In fact, she bought all the required electrical equipment right after she became a grid customer. Every morning during school season, she wakes up early to pack her cream before setting out for the day. Then, around 4pm, she meticulously starts preparing this little dessert by following a recipe she got from another ice cream vendor. With her blender, she mixes some boiled spaghetti with other ingredients. Besides her blender, her freezer is another important asset. Acholo freezes the blended mixture for at least 14 hours until she is satisfied that the product is up to her standards. Her daily output can be as high as 100 ice creams on a school day which she sells before classes around 8 a.m., packed in small plastic bags. She also has three regular retailers who buy in bulk from her and then go around town shouting “Krem! Krem!” a sound everyone living in Les Anglais now knows well!
Preparing and selling spaghetti ice-cream is an important part of Acholo’s life. It is her own source of income which makes her an independent woman and helps her run her household. Her husband, Anfrane, became blind a few years ago which prevents him from having a job. This does not stop him from helping Acholo to sell goodies and sweets in his wooden trunk (“bak”) while seated on his veranda. This additional business helps them when there is no school and the cream doesn’t sell out easily.
Having personally eaten the cream, I can say it is delicious! For those who are not able to come to Les Anglais to taste it, Acholo has graciously shared her spaghetti cream recipe for those who want to try it at home:
Meet Acholo Maurice, an unmissable face in Les Anglais. Though her large hat and beautiful smile make her recognizable, she is most well-known for her homemade spaghetti ice-creams, locally known as “krem”. Born on September 15, 1964 in the neighboring town of Tiburon, Acholo is her “ti non”or nickname. Her real name is Antonica Maurice. She moved to Les Anglais, her mother’s hometown, 50 years ago. She started the spaghetti cream business 8 months ago, about four months after the micro-grid was inaugurated. Acholo finds that her most dedicated customers are school children who find the cold dessert an ideal snack to cool down with on a hot sunny day.
Acholo would not have been able to start this business without electricity. In fact, she bought all the required electrical equipment right after she became a grid customer. Every morning during school season, she wakes up early to pack her cream before setting out for the day. Then, around 4pm, she meticulously starts preparing this little dessert by following a recipe she got from another ice cream vendor. With her blender, she mixes some boiled spaghetti with other ingredients. Besides her blender, her freezer is another important asset. Acholo freezes the blended mixture for at least 14 hours until she is satisfied that the product is up to her standards. Her daily output can be as high as 100 ice creams on a school day which she sells before classes around 8 a.m., packed in small plastic bags. She also has three regular retailers who buy in bulk from her and then go around town shouting “Krem! Krem!” a sound everyone living in Les Anglais now knows well!
Preparing and selling spaghetti ice-cream is an important part of Acholo’s life. It is her own source of income which makes her an independent woman and helps her run her household. Her husband, Anfrane, became blind a few years ago which prevents him from having a job. This does not stop him from helping Acholo to sell goodies and sweets in his wooden trunk (“bak”) while seated on his veranda. This additional business helps them when there is no school and the cream doesn’t sell out easily.
Having personally eaten the cream, I can say it is delicious! For those who are not able to come to Les Anglais to taste it, Acholo has graciously shared her spaghetti cream recipe for those who want to try it at home:
Recipe for Acholo’s spaghetti cream
Ingredients:
2 packs of spaghetti
8 small Bongu milk cartons (condensed milk)
Cinnamon
Sugar to taste
Flavoring
Coloring (optional)
Steps:
Ingredients:
2 packs of spaghetti
8 small Bongu milk cartons (condensed milk)
Cinnamon
Sugar to taste
Flavoring
Coloring (optional)
Steps:
- Put water to boil. Add the spaghetti and cinnamon.
- When spaghetti is boiled leave to cool.
- Once at room temperature, blend the spaghetti.
- Add the milk and sugar to taste and some flavoring.
- Add some food coloring if you want.
- Pack in small plastic bag and freezer overnight.
- Once the cold cream has solidified, sit back and enjoy.
- Published on
By Arthur Jacquiau-Chamski
With a year of grid operations in Les Anglais, we’ve been able to gather some pretty cool data on how the grid is working through the use of smart meters developed by EarthSpark's first technology spin-off, SparkMeter!
Below, you can see the average monthly consumption per household by service level. (Remember that EarthSpark offers different service levels to different customers based on their needs and their ability to pay for service. 'Limyè' service, for example, offers basic lighting and phone charging. The "Gwo Bagay" service level translates directly as "Big Things" in English and powers small businesses beyond the power needed for simple cooling and freezing. As a comparison, consider the fact that US average monthly consumption was 911 kWh per month in 2014. Down below you can see the past two months' monthly and daily data straight from SparkMeter's cloud interface.
With a year of grid operations in Les Anglais, we’ve been able to gather some pretty cool data on how the grid is working through the use of smart meters developed by EarthSpark's first technology spin-off, SparkMeter!
Below, you can see the average monthly consumption per household by service level. (Remember that EarthSpark offers different service levels to different customers based on their needs and their ability to pay for service. 'Limyè' service, for example, offers basic lighting and phone charging. The "Gwo Bagay" service level translates directly as "Big Things" in English and powers small businesses beyond the power needed for simple cooling and freezing. As a comparison, consider the fact that US average monthly consumption was 911 kWh per month in 2014. Down below you can see the past two months' monthly and daily data straight from SparkMeter's cloud interface.
Below we have the share of diesel in the energy consumed each month. As you can see, the highest percentage of diesel was in November and only represented about 10% of the grid's total energy for that month. The diesel generator is most needed when there is high demand or low sunshine, so early winter and/or rain may explain higher generator use.
Part of the allure of pre-pay electricity is that customers can pay for electricity as their household energy budget allows - electricity can be sold in small increments just like kerosene. Now we have the numbers on energy transactions. What we see is that:
- Most people come and top up their account 2 to 4 times a month.
- Half of the customers have an average payment of between 25 and 60 HTG (about 50 US cents to a dollar) when they buy electricity credits.
This is just some of the data we are able to see from SparkMeter and our generation logs that helps us understand our customers energy habits and helps us run an efficient, sustainable service.