Trend Solar has launched a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) package for its off-grid solar power solutions for homes in Tanzania. The new PAYG solar home kit comes packaged alongside a 4G smartphone. This package offers users living off-grid two solutions; a smartphone to connect to the internet and solar power at affordable prices.
Trend Solar is a social enterprise founded in 2015, which designs, manufactures, distributes, and now finances a wide range of solar power systems. Some of its solar power solutions include a 70Wh system tailored to the needs of low-income households to the even smaller package like 32kWh all-in-one battery storage.
The 4G smartphone mentioned above is the TS-X phone, which comes with a 5-inch display. The phone is enough to enable students of the house do their research, a business person in the house to communicate to clients and suppliers and bring family and friends closer. The PAYG package comes with a monthly mobile data allowance for the phone, to enable users to get internet services.
“With Trend Solar, we are solving the ‘digital inclusivity trilemma,’ by providing an affordable smartphone plus mobile data plus home recharging possibility,” said Irfan Mirza, the CEO, and co-founder of Trend Solar.
“We are disrupting how emerging markets access electricity and internet, by being the first company in the world to assimilate a smartphone and a solar home system.”
So far, the startup reports of having solved at least 500 units sold from its base of operations in Dar es Salaam, Bagamoyo, and Geita. It is now looking to spread its branches across East Africa. They currently have 30 agents spread out across its regions of operations.
“We know that access to energy is just the beginning of the journey for our customers, which is why our product team develop innovations in technology that unlock more than just energy – we connect our customers to the wider world.”
The startup reports that just in Tanzania alone, 36 million people are living without electricity. And they have every intention of reaching out to this market with their solar powered energy solution on a friendly pay-as-you-go plan.