Access to Energy for the Base of the - Ashoka

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The simplest solutions are sometimes the most
significant. A humble cookstove or a solar lantern
makes a world of difference to someone breathing
over a smoking fire, or reading by the timid flame of a
dangerous kerosene lamp. Distributed devices such
as efficient cookstoves and solar lanterns emerge as
an immensely powerful solution already enjoyed by
hundreds of thousands of people. These mass-market
devices are affordable by the poorest of the poor. The
challenge is making them accessible for the 3b
people who still cook over biomass or 1.6b without
electricity.
Device value chain Challenges Innovations
R&D /
Product design
Product
manufacturing
Marketing
Distribution
Customer
finance
Recharge
Maintenance
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Mobilize R&D resources focused
on Western markets
Manufacture low-cost and
reliable products adapted to
local needs
Viably reach remote areas
Develop a sustainable
network to supply fuel
recharge
Recent innovations in distributed devices have
reduced the cost of components and manufacturing, built
reinforcing business models that employ local people,
and leveraged citizen sector organizations to distribute
effectively. D.light Design's founders Sam Goldman and
Ned Tozun call it designing for the other 90%. Usually,
R&D budgets are directed to the wealthy minority of
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Leverage universities
partnerships to do R&D
Find suppliers and manufacturers
in low-cost locations / do some
assembly locally
Work as much as possible with
CSOs or businesses already
present in location
Provide strong distribution
margins at all stages of the
value chain
consumers. When the majority world becomes the
priority, solar lanterns or efficient cookstoves are the
result. These devices display consideration of the needs
and desires of low-income consumers. Successful
devices are high value and low cost, and include details
such as a plug that allows users to charge a mobile
phone off a solar lantern.