Solar power from a kiosk

In Ghana many people still do not have access to a reliable supply of energy. Solar products in the private end-use customer sector are still largely unknown. The first locally produced solar kiosk has now been opened in Ghana. In the context of "Climate Partnerships with the Private Sector" DEG co-financed the investment of the Berlin-based SOLARKIOSK AG start-up, using funds from the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB).

To date, the E-HUBB technology utilised for the solar kiosks – developed in Germany – has mainly been produced in Europe. Thanks to the DEG-funded project, SOLARKIOSK AG can now produce the technology locally, and has manufactured the first kiosk on-site. For this purpose, local staff have been trained in metalwork and solar technology, among other things.

Electricity, mobile telephony, Internet – also for remote areas

The solar kiosk, a small type of box-shaped shop, enables small retailers to operate an independent point of sale, including in outlying areas. The solar cells on the roof of the kiosk help it produce sufficient power to charge mobile telephones, cool drinks and other products, and offer television and Internet services. In addition to selling daily necessities, kiosks will also offer affordable, high-quality solar solutions, such as solar light products, solar-powered televisions, air conditioning units and energy efficient cookers with reduced CO2 emissions.

Producing the E-HUBBs locally creates new jobs in manufacturing and opens up new fields of business e.g. bank and telecommunication services to local operators, thanks to the solar energy generated. Besides this, the kiosks and sales of environmentally-friendly energy products are making a measurable contribution to lowering CO2 emissions.