Mobisol Group, the German provider of solar home and business systems, has launched its first MobiShop in Kenya while simultaneously announcing a partnership with battery and energy provider Chloride Exide.
The new MobiShop in Kakamega County was opened on Sept 27 by German Ambassador to Kenya Jutta Frasch, together with Kakamega County Deputy Governor Prof Philip M. Kutima. The MobiShop will stock Mobisol’s high-tech solar systems in Kenya.
(TOP: German envoy Jutta Frasch – left – and Kakamega Deputy Governor Prof Philip Kutima – right – being how a solar power system works by Mobisol head of expansion Klaus Maier).
Building on their success in Tanzania and Rwanda, Mobisol will now also provide reliable and affordable high-quality solar systems (80 to 200 Watt) and appliances to the Kenyan market. The systems are capable of illuminating entire households with efficient LED bulbs and allow for running large 32“ flat-screen TVs, stereos, DC fridges, and further provide recharge capabilities for consumer appliances such as mobile phones, laptops and tablets. They additionally have the capacity to power smaller businesses such as barbershops, phone charging stations, restaurants or village cinemas – which truly distinguishes them from their Kenyan competitors.
The joint venture with Chloride Exide will ensure a rapid expansion of Mobisol operations throughout the country, since Mobisol is able to access the already established sales and distribution network of this trusted local partner in Kenya. Chloride Exide in turn accelerates the achieving of their mission to bring “Energy for All” by joining forces and providing reliable and efficient German-engineered solar technology to the Kenyan market.
The joint venture has further benefited from Mobisol’s experience in solar service provision within Tanzania and Rwanda, where the company has so far affordably electrified over 250,000 households. It also strengthens the already existing supply partnership between Chloride Exide and Mobisol as since the beginning of this year, Mobisol has been purchasing ‘Made in Kenya‘ branded solar panels from Chloride Exide’s affiliate Solinc. Through the partnership, Mobisol aims to increase the sourcing volumes from Solinc, enabling it to serve its Kenyan clients with high-quality solar panels.
Mobisol and Chloride Exide target to provide access to clean and reliable solar power to 500,000 Kenyan households by end of 2018.
The German Ambassador to Kenya, Mrs Jutta Frasch said: “Simple and affordable solar energy will improve the life of many Kenyans – especially in remote areas”.
Andy Pond, MD, Mobisol Kenya, underlined her quote stating: “Through Mobisol, off-grid households in Kenya can finally afford solar systems that are of high quality and powerful enough to meet their entire households and business needs. For as little as Kshs 60 per day, Kenyans can now enjoy a modern, comfortable lifestyle, improve their economic well-being – and at the same time set new standards for worldwide sustainability.”
Mobisol has so far has installed over 60,000 solar systems for rural homes and businesses, thus reaching out to over 300,000 beneficiaries. The Berlin-based company’s solar systems are powerful enough to cover the entire electricity needs of average households. The solar systems are paid off over three years in small installments and are thus also affordable for low-income customers.
Mobisol’s product service offer comes with a rent-to-own option that allows customers to pay for their electricity source in an affordable, convenient payment plan via M-Pesa or Airtel Money. Mobisol’s package includes comprehensive customer service and comes with an extended warranty, the free-of-charge customer hotline 0800 755 000, remote smart monitoring of each system, free installation by certified technicians and free maintenance over a period of three years.
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