Difference between revisions of "Solar Kiosk"
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= Solar Kiosk: Idea = | = Solar Kiosk: Idea = | ||
| − | A solar kiosk is a self functioning system that powers its own energy as well as produces additional energy to charge other products and sell it to the customers. It can be both mobile and stationary depending on the need and demand. It consist of photo voltaic panels that power the kiosk and may include additional batteries for storage as well as 24/7 functioning of the kiosk. In some instances, the PV panels may be complemented with diesel generators for backup.As of 2014, report from Endeva has analysed 23 kiosks worldwide.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. | + | A solar kiosk is a self functioning system that powers its own energy as well as produces additional energy to charge other products and sell it to the customers. It can be both mobile and stationary depending on the need and demand. It consist of photo voltaic panels that power the kiosk and may include additional batteries for storage as well as 24/7 functioning of the kiosk. In some instances, the PV panels may be complemented with diesel generators for backup.As of 2014, report from Endeva has analysed 23 kiosks worldwide.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies.fckLRhttp://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf</ref> |
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Solar kiosks target a very specific market: off-grid rural households who cannot afford the solar home systems but still are willing to pay for the electricity. therefore, competitive pricing models are necessary | Solar kiosks target a very specific market: off-grid rural households who cannot afford the solar home systems but still are willing to pay for the electricity. therefore, competitive pricing models are necessary | ||
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== Services offered == | == Services offered == | ||
| − | Solar kiosk offers a variety of services ranging from simple charging stations (for lamps, lanterns and mobile phones) to providing other services such as cooling of drinks, running the television, internet services, selling retail products and in many cases offering a haircut using an electronic razor.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. | + | Solar kiosk offers a variety of services ranging from simple charging stations (for lamps, lanterns and mobile phones) to providing other services such as cooling of drinks, running the television, internet services, selling retail products and in many cases offering a haircut using an electronic razor.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies.fckLRhttp://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf</ref> |
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== Business- Business == | == Business- Business == | ||
| − | Under this model, the kiosk companies develop the hardware (the charging stations) and then sell it to a local customer such as a NGO, bank, community operator etc. they are not responsible for managing the kiosk and their revenue comes from the sale of the charging stations.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. | + | Under this model, the kiosk companies develop the hardware (the charging stations) and then sell it to a local customer such as a NGO, bank, community operator etc. they are not responsible for managing the kiosk and their revenue comes from the sale of the charging stations.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies.fckLRhttp://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf</ref> |
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== Retail Hub == | == Retail Hub == | ||
| − | a clasical solar kiosk includes a charging station but a retail hub expands its portfolio of products by also addition cusumer goods as well as a variety of services. In many cases, after sunset, the solar kiosk is the only illuminated structure and thus, serves as a meeting point. Incooperating other consumer products then helps to diversiy its revenue. the type of the product depends on the operation. they can offer consumer goods to cooperate with other business to offer clean drinking water, IT services.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. | + | a clasical solar kiosk includes a charging station but a retail hub expands its portfolio of products by also addition cusumer goods as well as a variety of services. In many cases, after sunset, the solar kiosk is the only illuminated structure and thus, serves as a meeting point. Incooperating other consumer products then helps to diversiy its revenue. the type of the product depends on the operation. they can offer consumer goods to cooperate with other business to offer clean drinking water, IT services.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies.fckLRhttp://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf</ref> |
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== Business in a box == | == Business in a box == | ||
| − | Under this model, the local operators own small charging stations which they then use to offer services such as mobile charging, lantern charging and so on.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. | + | Under this model, the local operators own small charging stations which they then use to offer services such as mobile charging, lantern charging and so on.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies.fckLRhttp://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf</ref> |
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= Challenges and Solutions = | = Challenges and Solutions = | ||
| − | The challenges and solutions mentioned are summarized from the publication by Endeva titled: "The Energy Kiosk Model" issued in October 2014.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. | + | The challenges and solutions mentioned are summarized from the publication by Endeva titled: "The Energy Kiosk Model" issued in October 2014.<ref name="Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies. http://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf">Endeva ( 2014).The Energy Kiosk Model: Current Challenges and Future Strategies.fckLRhttp://www.endeva.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/endeva_the_energykiosk_model_2014.pdf</ref> |
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= Investment = | = Investment = | ||
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*Supervise the activities of the kiosk operators with regular follow up calls | *Supervise the activities of the kiosk operators with regular follow up calls | ||
*Define the appropriate model of kiosk such as franchising or employing operators. | *Define the appropriate model of kiosk such as franchising or employing operators. | ||
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== Reach/Accessibility of the Solar Kiosk == | == Reach/Accessibility of the Solar Kiosk == | ||
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*Conduct regular feedback loops and surveys. Additionally, keep in touch with the key persons in the village to continue with the feedback loop. | *Conduct regular feedback loops and surveys. Additionally, keep in touch with the key persons in the village to continue with the feedback loop. | ||
| − | + | = Solar Kiosks: Examples = | |
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The section below presents some of the companies working in this field with different solar kiosk models. | The section below presents some of the companies working in this field with different solar kiosk models. | ||
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== Solar Kiosk == | == Solar Kiosk == | ||
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*can be expanded to different infrastructure structures such as health clinic, police station, telecom tower, internet service stations, | *can be expanded to different infrastructure structures such as health clinic, police station, telecom tower, internet service stations, | ||
*remote monitoring | *remote monitoring | ||
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*smart metering | *smart metering | ||
*deployed in Ethiopia | *deployed in Ethiopia | ||
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| + | <br/> | ||
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| + | Link: [http://solarkiosk.eu/product/ http://solarkiosk.eu/product/] | ||
== ARED Mobile Solar Kiosk == | == ARED Mobile Solar Kiosk == | ||
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*can be remotely monitored | *can be remotely monitored | ||
*prototying with new models | *prototying with new models | ||
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<br/> | <br/> | ||
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| + | Link: [http://www.a-r-e-d.com/ http://www.a-r-e-d.com/] | ||
== Heri == | == Heri == | ||
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*all kiosk offer lamps and phone charges, some also offfers additional products like refrigerators, printer or electric razors | *all kiosk offer lamps and phone charges, some also offfers additional products like refrigerators, printer or electric razors | ||
| − | + | <br/> | |
| − | + | Link: [http://www.beheri.com/NL http://www.beheri.com/NL] | |
= Further Information = | = Further Information = | ||
Revision as of 09:09, 8 September 2015
Introduction
Although the solar market seems to be plummeting, the off-grid solar power is on rise. New innovative financing mechanism coupled with low production cost is making off- grid solar viable as well as the affordable to the hundreds of off-grid population in developing countries. however the vital quesiton of how to cater to the millions of the off-grid population remains? In the recent times, there have been many new development in the off-grid solar market and one of the rising concept is that of a solar kiosk. This concept is discussed in detail in this article.
Solar Kiosk: Idea
A solar kiosk is a self functioning system that powers its own energy as well as produces additional energy to charge other products and sell it to the customers. It can be both mobile and stationary depending on the need and demand. It consist of photo voltaic panels that power the kiosk and may include additional batteries for storage as well as 24/7 functioning of the kiosk. In some instances, the PV panels may be complemented with diesel generators for backup.As of 2014, report from Endeva has analysed 23 kiosks worldwide.[1]
Solar kiosks target a very specific market: off-grid rural households who cannot afford the solar home systems but still are willing to pay for the electricity. therefore, competitive pricing models are necessary
Services offered
Solar kiosk offers a variety of services ranging from simple charging stations (for lamps, lanterns and mobile phones) to providing other services such as cooling of drinks, running the television, internet services, selling retail products and in many cases offering a haircut using an electronic razor.[1]
Business Models
Apart form the classical business model, three kinds of business models are floating around and are summarized below:
Business- Business
Under this model, the kiosk companies develop the hardware (the charging stations) and then sell it to a local customer such as a NGO, bank, community operator etc. they are not responsible for managing the kiosk and their revenue comes from the sale of the charging stations.[1]
Retail Hub
a clasical solar kiosk includes a charging station but a retail hub expands its portfolio of products by also addition cusumer goods as well as a variety of services. In many cases, after sunset, the solar kiosk is the only illuminated structure and thus, serves as a meeting point. Incooperating other consumer products then helps to diversiy its revenue. the type of the product depends on the operation. they can offer consumer goods to cooperate with other business to offer clean drinking water, IT services.[1]
Business in a box
Under this model, the local operators own small charging stations which they then use to offer services such as mobile charging, lantern charging and so on.[1]
Challenges and Solutions
The challenges and solutions mentioned are summarized from the publication by Endeva titled: "The Energy Kiosk Model" issued in October 2014.[1]
Investment
Kiosk has a high up front cost (ranging from 1,400 to 200,000 Euros) and also high recurring cost (such as replacing the battery every 2-3 years). Unfortunately, the revenues from a solar kiosk is very low ranging from 10 to 400 Euro month. This raises a question regarding the financial sustainability of the kiosks.
Solutions:
- For companies with high overhead costs , branching out into a number of profitable kiosk will distribute the overhead cost among the kiosk.
- Look for additional funding in terms of grants, donations to at least kick it off.
- Cut down the manufacturing cost of the solar kiosk. For the kiosk housing, focus on local material and labor.
- Offer additional services such as TV screening, internet ,photocopying and other IT services to diversify the portfolio.
- Partner with big corporations to mitigate the cost. For example: ARED's solar kiosk entered into a contract with Airtel, a mobile conmpany to brand the solar kioks with Airtel logo in return for support.
Kiosk Operators
For companies operating solar kiosk in multiple locations, they are completely dependent on the operators. however, there are reports of theft, clashes between the management culture of the companies and operators as well as low qualification levels of the operators
Solutions:
- To raise the bar for the operators, define minimum criteria (such as business experience, basic sales and accounting education etc) for the operators so that they can effectively run the kiosk by themselves
- Provide initial business and training training with a follow up training to the operators.
- Supervise the activities of the kiosk operators with regular follow up calls
- Define the appropriate model of kiosk such as franchising or employing operators.
Reach/Accessibility of the Solar Kiosk
One of biggest concern of the solar kiosk is how to reach the targeted audience as well as increase their trust in the solar kiosk as well as the products being sold?
Solutions:
Since most of the customers are located in rural off-grid areas, the traditional advertisement method like TV, radio might not not feasible and might be better to focus on the following solutions:
- Before opening a solar kiosk, it is important to conduct a site analysis to see the electricity requirement in the site, the competing services and the willingness to pay.
- door to door marketing as well as on-site demonstration of the usability of the product
- targeting the head of the village or other elder members who are highly respected. This will increase the trust of other villagers on the product.
- conduct heath campaigns as well as awareness raising about the health effects of kerosene lamps and other lighting alternatives.
- In most of the rural settings, women and children are the one collecting the charged batteries or lanterns from the kiosk. Therefore, making these products lighter and water and shock resistant will increase their attractiveness to the households.
- Depending upon the customer density around an area, it might also be beneficial to branch out into a mini mobile solar kiosk in case of a stationary solar kiosk.
Service Delivery
Most of the customers might be located far off from the location of the solar kiosk and may be poor population. Then, the most important question is how to provide quality services to these customers:
Solutions:
- Implement home delivery services for customer who live far off from the kiosk. For example, the kiosk owner can drop the charged batteries or lanterns to the customers as well as pick up the empty ones. This will reduce mishandling of the products.
Payment
Collection payment is an important task for the kiosk owner. However, the low income of the targeted customers as well as the fact that they might be far from the solar kiosk could pose a problem for the owner.
- Solutions:
- Mobile money such as MPESA is a reliable and easy way to collect money from the customers.
- Offer payment schemes such as pay as per charge, pay per day and if feasible then a monthly charge
- Set the electricity charge equal or lower than what households would pay for the alternative energy (such as kerosine, candles) for the same amount of light.
Mishandling of the Products
In many cases, the products such as batteries or lanterns are rented out and not owned by the customers. This makes the customers less accountable and could result in mishandling of the products.
Solutions:
- The Kiosk owner should establish a clear contract between the owner and the customer to set the rules for ownership as well as the rental services. It should also held the customer responsible in case of mishandling.
- While renting out products, the customers should be required to deposit upfront: This deposit should only be returned when they return the product or will be used to reimburse the kiosk operator in case of damages incurred. (asking for deposit upfront can be tricky as most of the customers are poor population who might not be able to afford the services).
After sales Service
Like any other business, after sales service is also an important aspect of running solar kiosk. However,the remote location of the kiosk could result in days before any defects in a product fixed.
Solution:
- Provide technical training to the local operators to ensure fast and efficient after sale services
- Conduct technical training as well a awareness programs so that the local population is familiar with basic maintenance of the products and could adopt behaviors that prevent wear and tear of the product.
- Conduct regular feedback loops and surveys. Additionally, keep in touch with the key persons in the village to continue with the feedback loop.
Solar Kiosks: Examples
The section below presents some of the companies working in this field with different solar kiosk models.
Solar Kiosk
- berlin based company
- Designed by Andreas Spieß and GRAFT architects,
- integrate 1-4 kWp of photovolatic capacity
- battery included for 24/7 operation for power back up
- the flexible structure allows one to adopt it to the local manufactures material and expertise such as wood, aluminium and steel.
- can be expanded to different infrastructure structures such as health clinic, police station, telecom tower, internet service stations,
- remote monitoring
- smart metering
- deployed in Ethiopia
Link: http://solarkiosk.eu/product/
ARED Mobile Solar Kiosk
mobile technology has managed to penetarte africa, leap-froggingh interms of mobile technology
- Rwandese company
- provides services to rural and urban areas in East Africa
- a mobile charging station for public places powered by solar energy
- the kiosk has a battery with two retractable 40-watts solar panel and thus cna be used even after the sun goes down
- currently working in rwanda and burundi
- can charge a lot of mobile phones, sell mobile air time and so on
- mobile
- can be remotely monitored
- prototying with new models
Link: http://www.a-r-e-d.com/
Heri
- functional since 2012
- Based in Madagascar
- stationary kiosk /solar unit
- kiosk are designed to last the extreme weather condition in Madagascar including both cyclone with wind sped up to 250 km/hr as well as severe flooding
- kiosk owned by local entrepreneurs (women)
- roof top solar powers a lot of household appliances (such as lamps and phone chargers) which the customers can either purchase, pay for per use or rent for varying lengths of time.
- flexible payment services to customers
- all kiosk offer lamps and phone charges, some also offfers additional products like refrigerators, printer or electric razors
Link: http://www.beheri.com/NL
