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The first generation of Econet Solar’s new product will provide lighting, and power to charge cell phones, on a pre-paid basis, using the same systems and in the same way airtime is purchased for mobile phones. This mechanism removes the requirement for high upfront costs which have until now prevented hundreds of millions of people across Africa benefiting from solar powered lighting systems in their home. 96% of mobile subscriptions in Africa are on a pre-paid/pay as you go basis, a payment method with which African people are familiar.

The Home Power Station uses a solar panel to charge a battery which provides power for four lights and a cell phone charger. It is Econet’s intention that future generations of the product will serve homes of all sizes as the business model is fully scalable. It is the first solar power system that is paid for via pre-paid cell phones using Econet Solar’s unique and fully patented power control module linking the Home Power Station to the cell phone network. The product will begin trials in several countries in the coming weeks and is expected to be commercially available in the first half of 2012, before subsequently being rolled out in other African countries.

Setting it apart from alternatives currently available on the market, the Home Power Station will be available at a small upfront cost, with customers paying for the electricity generated as they use it. Econet Solar will be working closely with its parent company, Econet Wireless, to make the Home Power Station available to its millions of cell phone customers in Africa. In time, Econet Solar will seek to establish licensing agreements with other mobile network operators in developing countries to make the product available to their respective customer bases.

Commenting on the launch of the Home Power Station, Strive Masiyiwa, founder and executive chairman of Econet Wireless said: “More than five hundred million people in Africa are living in areas where there is no access to a reliable source of power. If we are to improve the lives and prospects of Africans living beyond the reach of the grid, it is imperative that we find practical and sustainable solutions to meet their needs. Whilst there are already well-intentioned solar powered lighting systems on the market, the reality is that they are just too expensive for people to afford. We are launching the Home Power Station to change all that.

“The Home Power Station uses proven technology in a revolutionary way in order to make power available on a pre-paid basis, just like airtime on a cell phone. Forecasters expect that Africa will have 735 million cell phone users by the end of next year and we’ll be looking to leverage the proven ability of telecoms companies like Econet Wireless to roll-out this product quickly. People who are today living without access to reliable and sustainable power for lighting will have it on a pre-paid basis from next year."
The Econet Solar Home Power Station includes four LED lights, the Home Power Station controller, a battery, a solar panel, cabling and a cell phone charger. It has been designed to light, up to four rooms of 3x3 meters each for a period of up to five hours a day using only the power of the sun. The system is easy to install and comes with a comprehensive instruction manual. The photovoltaic solar panel replenishes one day’s usage in half a day’s sunshine.

Strive Masiyiwa added: “We believe the Home Power Station can have a transformational social impact. It will reduce the need for people to use kerosene indoors and ensure that homes and small business can be lit after dark. That means children can continue reading into the evening and businesses can stay open longer. The Home Power Station can play a significant part in improving the standard of living for millions of people.”