




Local solar companies in developing countries often have difficulties importing solar systems at all. This is because they rarely receive sufficient loans from banks or investors at acceptable terms. So-called “Social Impact Funds” in Europe and the USA are also rarely willing to grant these solar companies a loan at acceptable conditions.
This double financing gap makes it considerably more difficult to eradicate energy-related poverty in developing countries.
Solar-Connect eG closes this double gap: We supply high-quality solar systems to selected partners in developing countries. We grant our customers a supplier credit and thus enable them to offer rural households the payment of the solar system via an instalment credit.
Dr. Gathu Kirubi, Kenya

Joseph Omondi

Small business owner in Ethiopia

We are convinced that if we want to help people at the bottom of the income pyramid to improve their living conditions, we have to take them seriously as customers with their own wishes – and not as recipients of benefits. In this way, we make an important contribution to avoiding migration.
The availability of reliable, clean and affordable energy helps the people in our partner countries to improve their living conditions through their own efforts. The changes brought about by solar energy can be documented in many areas of everyday life. Here are a few examples:
- Income: Solar light makes it possible to work even after sunset and thus increases the possibility of earning a living
- Health: Solar power eliminates the need for kerosene lamps, which cause severe respiratory and eye diseases
- Education: Evening classes for children and adults are only be possible if there is sufficient electricity for light and media
- Safety: street lamps and mobile solar lamps help to increase safety at night
- Community life: Solar energy also increases the exchange within a village and thus improves social interaction
- Fire protection: Many fires are caused by falling candles or kerosene lamps. The use of solar energy prevents this
- Communication: The possibility of charging mobile phones with solar energy improves the communication of a household with the outside world
- Standard of living: refrigerator, radio, television and computer are important products to improve the quality of life of the rural population and to counteract rural exodus
Solar energy offers rural regions an opportunity for social development and economic prosperity. The need and demand for solar energy is great. According to the World Bank, households in developing countries are easily able to pay off a solar system by means of an installment loan – if they were supplied with a solar system.
In order to ensure a sustainable supply of reliable, clean and affordable energy for populations in off-grid areas, local solar companies are needed that not only advise customers and carry out installation, but also provide reliable maintenance and service.
It is almost impossible for these small and medium-sized solar companies to obtain loans from banks to finance solar products for their customers. Solar-Connect eG supports the solar companies with supplier credits and provides them with support and advice in their work.
In this way we create permanent jobs and strengthen the development of small and medium-sized commercial enterprises.