EGK 2011: Energy 05 SAHAY SOLAR SOLUTIONS

Sahay Solar Solutions

Solar Energy for Ethiopia

Sahay Solar Solutions

Social Business in Ethiopia

Combining Business and Charity – the Concept of Sahay Solar Solutions

Guluma Megersa and Max Pohl

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia | Ethio German Konnect – Addis Abeba

Sahay Solar Solutions

M. Yunus; Nobel peace prize laureate, Pioneer of Microcredit idea and Founder of the Grameen Bank:

„I propose an new kind of business, a kind of business based on selfnessless, which is in all of us. I call it social business“

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia| Social Entrepreneurship

Sahay Solar Solutions

Basic principle: o to solve social problems with entrepreneurial concepts o to view challenges as entrepreneurial chances

Self-sustaining business concepts with the aim of generating social value

Does not mean that no monetary profits can be made

Profits are reinvested to scale the enterprise or are used for charitable causes

No interest is paid to investors, only payback of initial investments

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia | Social Entrepreneurship

Sahay Solar Solutions

Why business and not charity?

Efficiency in the actions and ensuring long term success of

the initiative

Independence from goodwill of external donors

Scalability and professional management structures of

initiatives

Attracting skilled employees for the long term

Social Business: „just“ a renaissance of traditional entrepreneurial values or a whole new concept?

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia| Social Entrepreneurship

Sahay Solar Solutions

Type 1: leveraged non-profit ventures

Type 2: hybrid non-profit ventures

Type 3: social business ventures

Source: Elkington & Hartigan (2008)

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia| Social Entrepreneurship

Sahay Solar Solutions

Basic principle: Social Business – Solving of social problems with entrepreneurial

concepts

The problem: Energy supply crises in Ethiopia

Our approach : Decentralized energy supply with autonomous solar systems

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia| Sahay Project

Sahay Solar Solutions

Development of educational structures at university level

Foundation of a Solar Competence Centers at Arba Minch University

Set-up of small solar-engineering teams with the trained engineers

Realization of social and commercial solar projects

Scaling to self-sustaining Social Business for solar projects

Education – social projects – social business

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia | Concept

Sahay Solar Solutions

Education:

Service:

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia| Solar Competence Center

• Practical training of students and staff in the field of renewable energies; trainings by Swiss experts

• Adaptation of BSc. and MSc. Curricula; „train-the-Trainer“ Programme

• Stipends for Master/PhD students

• Data collection of solar-equipment under local conditions, „best practices“

• Research opportunities for students (BSc./MSc. Thesis)

• Test service for European Institutes & Producers

• Adaptation of solar-equipment for local usage

• Training for local Electricians/Architects etc.

• Information for the interested public

Data collection:

Sahay Solar Solutions

Sahay Solar Solutions

Bridging theoretical education and practical realization

Enables practical training and experience gain for the students

Direct improvement of the children‘s situation

„Living examples “ - awareness building in rural areas

Social entrepreneurship idea: school generates money for maintenance of solar system through mobile charging

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia| Social Projects

Sahay Solar Solutions

Sahay Solar Solutions

Focus Sahay Solar: mid to large projects for industry/hotels and households

Standard solutions for basic energy supply of small objects (SHS)

Sales of Pico-systems for lighting and mobile charging

Consulting: energy saving and efficiency for companies, hotels, restaurants

Bridging the gap between European solar companies and Ethiopian customers

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia| Commercial Projects

Sahay Solar Solutions

Sahay Solar Solutions GmbH: Social Business

SUPSI - ISAAC Institut: Technical Partner | Solar & Education

Arba Minch University: Solar Competence Center

Sahay Solar Association Africa e.V.: Education & Social Projects

Sahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia| Partner

Sahay Solar SolutionsSahay Solar Solutions – Solar Energy for Ethiopia | Supporter and Sponsors

Sahay Solar Solutions