Azuri Technologies has developed a pay-as-you-go interface which allows households to pay for solar as they use it with scratchcards, avoiding the need for microfinance. The upfront costs of solar often renders it out of reach for the people who would benefit most.
Growing numbers of homes in Kenya and elsewhere are now using Azuri’s ‘Indigo Duo’ starter solar-home-systems which provide two lights and phone charging. Once they have paid for their starter system, Azuri’s customers then have the opportunity to upgrade to larger systems, allowing them to progressively climb out of poverty.
The Ashden Awards were founded in 2001 to encourage the greater use of sustainable energy to reduce poverty and tackle climate change. Azuri Technologies joins six other finalists in the 2013 International Ashden Awards category.
Simon Bransfield Garth, CEO of Azuri Technologies said: “We’re thrilled to be selected as a 2013 International Ashden Award finalist. Azuri’s Indigo pay-as-you-go solar is bringing affordable sustainable energy to rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa, and this honour is further evidence of the progress being made in bringing innovative and life-changing solutions to off-grid households.”
Sarah Butler-Sloss, Ashden Founder Director said: “Azuri has created an innovative and culturally appropriate product that also overcomes the huge hurdle of the high upfront costs of solar power.”
Four winners of the 2013 International Ashden Awards will be announced at a prestigious ceremony at the Royal Geographical Society in London, UK on 20 June 2013.
Follow #Ashden13 on twitter to keep up with information about this year’s Ashden Awards, which will be webcast on green.tv from 7pm on 20 June.
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Media contacts
Ashden: Luke Malcher | +44 (0) 207 410 7068 | luke.malcher@ashden.org
NOTES
1. The Ashden Awards were set up in 2001 to champion practical, local energy solutions that cut carbon, protect the environment, reduce poverty and improve people’s lives. Since then we have rewarded and supported more than 140 winners across the UK and the developing world. Find out more at www.ashden.org
2. Since 2001, Ashden award winners have improved the lives of 33 million people worldwide, and are now saving over 4 million tonnes of CO2 every year.
3. Some 1.4 billion people around the world lack access to modern energy, while 3 billion rely on ‘traditional biomass’ and coal as their main fuel sources.
4. A total of 14 Awards will be presented at the ceremony, as follows:
• Four UK awards, to include:
o The Impax Ashden Award for Energy Innovation
o The Ashden 2013 UK Gold Award
• Four international awards, to include:
o The 2013 International Gold Award
o Citi Ashden Award for Financial Innovation
o Waterloo Foundation Ashden Award for Avoided Deforestation
o Zennström Philanthropies Ashden Award for Innovation
• Two Eurostar Ashden Awards for Sustainable Travel
• Two Small Island Developing States Awards, supported by SIDS DOCK and the World Bank
• Two Ashden School Awards
5. Winners of the 2013 International Ashden Award will receive £20,000 to £40,000 in prize money as well as business support, access to investors and a global platform to build their profile.
6. Brief information about each finalist and a high-resolution image can be found at www.ashden.org/2013_awards
7. The Awards ceremony is on Thursday 20 June at 7.15pm and is by invitation only. Please contact Julia Hawkins (julia.hawkins@ashden.org) if you would like to be registered.
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