View source for File:Van Asperen - Solar lighting for the off-grid BOP in Kenya An analysis of business models and challenges to growth.pdf

=={{int:filedesc}}==
{{Information
|description={{en|1=1.5 billion people worldwide do not have access to electricity, while energy is an important
requirement for development. Households without access to electricity usually rely on kerosene
for their lighting needs. Compared to electrical lighting the use of kerosene causes health
problems, is less safe, produces a lower quality of light, is more expensive and results in higher
CO2 emissions. As households without access are usually poor they cannot afford large
investments to move away from kerosene lighting.
Recently solar lighting products have been introduced that are especially designed and marketed
for the poor off-grid population. These solar lanterns and small solar home systems (these
products are referred to as pico solar) with retail prices starting at around $15.00 are regarded as
an ideal opportunity for these people to move away from kerosene lighting. Nevertheless, the
majority of poor off-grid households still depends on kerosene.
For this research 13 interviews were held in Kenya with representatives of companies and NGO’s
offering pico solar products. Several challenges were identified that the interviewees face while
growing their operations. The four most important are affordability, poor quality products,
consumer awareness and distribution.
The targeted customers for pico solar products are the extremely poor, also referred to as the
Base or Bottom of the Pyramid (BOP). Offering products to BOP consumers requires an
approach adapted to the harsh conditions of the BOP environment. This calls for business model
innovations. This research describes the way in which companies and NGO’s have designed and
adapted their business models to the BOP conditions.}}
|date=2010-09-29
|source=VU University Amsterdam
|author=M.J. van Asperen
|permission=
|other_versions=
|other_fields=
}}

=={{int:license-header}}==
{{cc-by-nc-nd-3.0}}