OUR MISSION
Powering critical infrastructure in the developing world with affordable and reliable solar.
THE CHALLENGE
1.2 billion people lack access to electricity. In countries like Nepal, 70% of the population technically has access, but nearly 100% are susceptible to frequent power outages that often last for the majority of the day.
Electricity is fundamental to improving quality of life:
HEALTH FACILITIES:
Surgical equipment, vaccine refrigerators, sterilization, lab tests
Schools:
Computers and internet for connectivity, lights for evening classes and studying
FARMS:
Electric pumps to efficiently irrigate fields, process crops
HOW WE DO IT
We believe that donations cannot scale to reach the 1.2 billion people who lack access to electricity. Strong local capacity and sustainable business models are key to solving energy poverty.
SunFarmer is a U.S. non-profit that launches locally-run solar companies in developing countries. We identify the right solar technologies and the best solar financing models for a given market. The local companies build solar energy systems for large, complex customers--hospitals, schools, farms, and businesses. We currently re-invest any profits in-country; eventually we will use a portion of profits to offset costs of US non-profit.
SUNFARMER NEPAL
Nepal is our first country of focus, where we have already completed over 200 solar projects for health facilities, schools, farms, and community centers. SunFarmer Nepal is a pioneer in the Nepali solar market - offering the first financing options for solar powered irrigation, introducing a modular solar design that grows with a customer’s energy needs, and exploring development of what will be Nepal’s largest solar energy installations