Inclusive Energy
Inclusive Energy builds IoT smart meters (Smart Biogas) and PayGo-enabled solar charge controllers (Cloud Solar) for off-grid energy providers across 27 countries, with patented metering and first-mover CDM/Gold Standard acceptance for digital carbon MRV. Acquired by Sistema.bio in October 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Inclusive Energy does
Inclusive Energy is a London-headquartered IoT company (founded 2018, originally as Connected Energy Technologies) that builds smart metering hardware and software for off-grid energy providers, primarily serving biogas digester operators and off-grid solar companies across 27 countries and 4 continents. Its core products are Smart Biogas, an internet-connected smart meter with patented flow measurement (up to 62 m3/hr in the forthcoming Raw Range) that monitors digester health in real time via 2G/4G connectivity and provides predictive maintenance insights, and Cloud Solar, a range of smart PWM charge controllers (20A and 40A) with remote monitoring and integrated PayGo functionality built on the Open PayGo Token standard. The company is the first to achieve Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) Executive Board and Gold Standard methodology acceptance for digital remote monitoring of carbon abatement, enabling biogas operators to access carbon credit markets through verified digital MRV.
The business model is hardware-led: Inclusive Energy sells its smart meters and charge controllers directly through its website and via distribution partners, bundling the cloud software platform free with hardware purchases. Additional revenue streams include digital carbon MRV services delivered in partnership with carbon credit developers such as EKI Energy Services and 4R Digital's Cavex platform, plus recurring spares and replacement parts. Go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales, exclusive distribution (e.g., PAM Africa for Nigeria targeting 280,000 households over 3 years), OEM/white-label integration with solar and biogas providers, and grant-funded R&D consortia led by Innovate UK and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Customers include biogas programmes (ABPL, BSUL, su-re.co), off-grid solar distributors (ZED Motors in Benin, PAM Africa in Nigeria), and OEM manufacturers (Lectrotel/Gearbox in Kenya). Inclusive Energy operates from offices in London and Bangalore, was backed by Sustainable Ventures, Katapult Climate, and Old College Capital before raising £3M via Crowdcube in April 2023, and was acquired by Sistema.bio Inc. in October 2024, operating since as a wholly-owned subsidiary within a 35+ country global biogas platform.
Inclusive Energy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Inclusive Energy
- Legal name
- Inclusive Energy Ltd.
- Website
- https://inclusive.energy
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Inclusive Energy builds IoT smart meters (Smart Biogas) and PayGo-enabled solar charge controllers (Cloud Solar) for off-grid energy providers across 27 countries, with patented metering and first-mover CDM/Gold Standard acceptance for digital carbon MRV. Acquired by Sistema.bio in October 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Inclusive Energy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Smart Metering Hardware for Off-Grid Energy
- NAICS
- Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing (334514), Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing for Residential, Commercial, and Appliance Use (334512)
- SIC
- Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600), Switchgear & Switchboard Apparatus (3613)
- akta.pro primary industry
- AMI Smart Meters (Electric) & Meter Hardware (EUADAFAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Customer Energy Engagement (In-Home Displays, Portals, Usage Insights) (EUADAFAH), EV Charging Infrastructure IoT & Smart Charging (V1G/V2G) (EUADAPAH), Home Energy & EV Charging (HEMS, Smart Meters, Batteries, Chargers) (HSAPAQAF)
Keywords
Where Inclusive Energy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Inclusive Energy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Smart Biogas Hardware and Software: Sale of Smart Biogas monitoring hardware (metering devices) with included free access to software platform. Hardware designed for monitoring biogas digesters with flow measurement up to 50 m3/hr.
- Cloud Solar Charge Controllers: Sale of smart charge controllers with remote monitoring and PayGo capabilities. Products include 20A and 40A PWM chargers. Software platform included free with hardware purchase.
- Digital Carbon MRV Services: Partnership with EKI Energy Services and others to provide digital monitoring, reporting and verification for carbon credit projects. Enables biogas operators to access carbon markets with verifiable, accurate data.
- Smart Biogas Spares and Replacement Parts: Sale of replacement parts and spares for Smart Biogas systems through dedicated ordering page.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Monthly | Smart Biogas - Software Platform |
| Freemium | Monthly | Cloud Solar - Software Platform |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smart Biogas Hardware |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cloud Solar Charge Controllers |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Inclusive Energy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Inclusive Energy designs, manufactures, and sells IoT smart metering hardware paired with cloud-based software platforms for off-grid energy providers. Its core products are Smart Biogas (internet-connected smart meters for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of biogas digesters) and Cloud Solar (smart PWM charge controllers with remote monitoring and PayGo functionality for off-grid solar installations). Both products are sold to biogas companies, solar providers, NGOs, and carbon credit developers across 27 countries.
Product overview
Inclusive Energy offers a portfolio of smart metering products for off-grid energy access. The core products are Smart Biogas (real-time monitoring system for biogas digesters) and Cloud Solar (smart charge controllers with remote monitoring and PayGo). Smart Biogas monitors biogas digester health using IoT sensors with cloud connectivity, providing automated fault alerts and predictive maintenance insights, while Cloud Solar enables remote monitoring and control of solar installations with integrated PayGo functionality. Both products come with free access to software platforms and are complemented by SB Home mobile app for biogas end-users. The company recently expanded with high-flow versions for commercial applications (Smart Biogas Standard Range up to 22 m3/hr, upcoming Raw Range up to 62 m3/hr) and productive-use-optimized solar controllers (CS Smart PWM 40 up to 40A). Inclusive Energy was acquired by Sistema.bio in October 2024.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Smart Biogas: A real-time monitoring system for biogas digesters using intelligent sensing and communications, providing unprecedented data on digester performance with automated fault alerts and predictive maintenance.
- Cloud Solar
- SB Home
Products and services
- Smart Biogas IoT-enabled smart meter for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of biogas digesters. Sends data to cloud via 2G or 4G connectivity with one year of local data storage, providing automated fault alerts, performance insights, and digital MRV capability for carbon credit generation. For biogas companies, NGOs, and carbon credit developers managing distributed digester fleets.
- Cloud Solar Smart PWM charge controllers with remote monitoring and PayGo functionality for off-grid DC solar installations. Available in 20A and 40A variants with 12/24/48V auto select, Open PayGo Token integration, and OLED display. Enables data-driven solar-as-a-service business models for off-grid solar companies and energy access providers.
- Smart Biogas Standard Range Standard version of the Smart Biogas monitoring system designed for commercial-scale biogas digesters. Measures flow up to 22 m3/hour and pressure up to 50 kPa with cloud connectivity and local data storage.
- CS Smart PWM 40 Advanced Cloud Solar model for productive use applications up to 2kW including cold storage, agri-processing, water pumping, e-mobility, e-cooking, and larger solar home systems. Features 40A charging current, 4G connectivity, dual-port USB fast charging, and OLED display.
- Smart Biogas Spares and Replacement Parts
Quantifiable outcome
- 60% increase in biodigester performance through active monitoring approach
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Inclusive Energy
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Inclusive Energy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
AI capability5 records
Feature7 records
Inclusive Energy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core - exclusive distributor, flagship - parent company, core - project partner, core - strategic, core - research, supporting and core - manufacturing.
- PAM Africacore - exclusive distributorPAM Africa signed an exclusive distributorship agreement to distribute Cloud Solar in Nigeria. Plans to impact over 280,000 rural households and businesses in 3 years. Will use Cloud Solar as the brain of their PAM Meter system and distribute to other companies in Nigeria.
- Sistema.bioflagship - parent companyInclusive Energy was acquired by Sistema.bio, a global leader in biogas technology. Sistema.bio is integrating Inclusive Energy's digital MRV technology into their biogas units for carbon emissions reduction initiatives. The acquisition makes Sistema.bio the first global biogas platform capable of delivering carbon and methane emissions reduction projects at scale with real-time high-quality digital MRV.
- SNVcore - project partnerLead organisation for Smart Biogas Carbon Platform project funded by Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Coordinates implementation of digital carbon credits pilot in Kenya.
- 4R Digitalcore - project partnerDeveloped Cavex digital carbon trading platform. Partner in Smart Biogas Carbon Platform project to integrate Smart Biogas data with carbon credit trading.
- EKI Energy Servicescore - strategicMOU signed to strengthen digitization of Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of climate change mitigation activities in biogas market. EKI provides carbon credits management including validation, monitoring, verification and trading. Inclusive Energy provides Smart Biogas meters for digital monitoring.
- University of Nottinghamcore - researchResearch partner in Smart Biogas 3 project (2023-2025). Will contribute to literature on biogas and benefits of digitisation through research activities. Also collaborated on Smart Biogas testing and development.
- Africa Bioenergy Programscore - project partnerPartner in Smart Biogas 3 project and Smart Biogas Carbon Platform. Supplies residential and medium-sized biodigesters in Kenya for field testing with Smart Biogas meters.
- Biogas Solutions Ugandacore - project partnerPartner in Smart Biogas 3 project, collaborating on biogas sector digitisation in East Africa.
- Grassroots Energycore - project partnerPartner in Smart Biogas 3 project focused on biogas sector development.
- Green Impact Technologiescore - project partnerPartner in Smart Biogas 3 project for biogas sector digitisation.
- GIZcore - project partnerPartner in Smart Biogas Carbon Platform project. Part of African Biodigester Component (ABC) programme in Kenya.
- STREECcore - project partnerLocal training centre in Eswatini executing sustainable biogas project. Will roll out 100 digesters to small-scale commercial farms in Eswatini and South Africa.
- Focus Energy (Benin)core - project partnerPartner in Cool Efficiency in West Africa project (2023-2025) to develop solar-powered refrigeration options. Working with Inclusive Energy's Cloud Solar for data modelling and predictive maintenance.
- Koolbokscore - project partnerPartner in Cool Efficiency in West Africa project to provide affordable solar-powered refrigeration options using Inclusive Energy's Cloud Solar technology.
- IIASAsupportingPartner in Cool Efficiency in West Africa project providing support for the initiative.
- Lectrotel Mycrosystems / Gearboxcore - manufacturingKenyan manufacturer producing hardware components for Cloud Solar and Smart Biogas. Part of strategic decision to consolidate presence in East African market and be closer to local customers.
- Clean Cooking AlliancesupportingSupported development of functional requirements for greenhouse gas abatement tool. Inclusive Energy is member of CCA's Venture Catalyst portfolio.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Inclusive Energy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- d.light: d.light designs and distributes affordable solar lanterns and home systems across Africa and Asia. Similar in serving the same end-customer base (off-grid households) and distribution model in emerging markets, though d.light focuses on finished products rather than IoT infrastructure.
- BBOXX: BBOXX is a global provider of solar home systems with paygo functionality, operating across multiple African and Asian markets. Comparable target customer profile (rural off-grid households) and use of IoT-enabled monitoring for distributed solar assets, similar to Cloud Solar's value proposition.
- M-KOPA: M-KOPA is one of the largest paygo solar providers in Africa with over 1 million connected homes. Uses proprietary IoT smart metering infrastructure comparable to Cloud Solar's approach. Larger incumbent in the same target market for off-grid solar paygo.
- Azuri Technologies: Azuri is a leading paygo solar home system provider in East and West Africa, using smart IoT technology and PAYG financing. Comparable as a customer/user of similar IoT smart metering infrastructure for distributed off-grid solar assets.
- Sistema.bio: Sistema.bio is a global leader in biogas technology and now Inclusive Energy's parent company. Operates in 35+ countries deploying biodigesters to smallholder farmers, with a stated goal to reduce 1% of global GHG emissions by 2030. The most relevant incumbent for Smart Biogas's downstream biogas deployment.
Direct peers
- SteamaCo: SteamaCo offers smart metering and IoT platforms for distributed energy providers, including mini-grids and off-grid solar companies in Africa and Asia. Closely comparable to both Smart Biogas and Cloud Solar as it provides remote monitoring, PAYG billing, and predictive analytics for distributed energy assets.
- Angaza: Angaza provides pay-as-you-go (PAYG) software and IoT enablement for off-grid solar distributors and manufacturers globally. Directly comparable to Inclusive Energy's Cloud Solar line — both offer cloud platforms and payment flexibility for distributed off-grid energy assets in emerging markets.
- SparkMeter: SparkMeter provides smart metering systems for mini-grid operators and utilities in emerging markets, enabling remote monitoring, billing, and analytics. Directly comparable to Inclusive Energy's smart metering focus, with strong overlap in remote monitoring, customer engagement, and energy access verticals.
Emerging players
- BioLite: BioLite develops clean energy products including biomass cookstoves and solar home systems for emerging markets, with IoT monitoring on some products. Partial overlap with Inclusive Energy's clean cooking and off-grid solar focus, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
- Sun King (Greenlight Planet): Sun King (formerly Greenlight Planet) distributes paygo solar home systems across Africa and Asia. Comparable in deploying IoT-enabled solar products for off-grid consumers with paygo functionality, though at a much larger scale.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Inclusive Energy social profiles
Digital presenceInclusive Energy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Inclusive Energy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Inclusive Energy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Inclusive Energy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds6 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Inclusive Energy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Inclusive Energy
What does Inclusive Energy do?
Inclusive Energy designs, manufactures, and sells IoT smart metering hardware paired with cloud-based software platforms for off-grid energy providers. Its core products are Smart Biogas (internet-connected smart meters for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance of biogas digesters) and Cloud Solar (smart PWM charge controllers with remote monitoring and PayGo functionality for off-grid solar installations). Both products are sold to biogas companies, solar providers, NGOs, and carbon credit developers across 27 countries.
Is Inclusive Energy a public or private company?
Inclusive Energy is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Inclusive Energy founded?
Inclusive Energy was founded in 2018. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Inclusive Energy based?
Inclusive Energy is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Inclusive Energy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Smart Biogas Hardware and Software is the primary driver. The others are cloud Solar Charge Controllers, digital Carbon MRV Services and smart Biogas Spares and Replacement Parts.
Who are Inclusive Energy's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are d.light, BBOXX, M-KOPA, Azuri Technologies and Sistema.bio. Direct peers are SteamaCo, Angaza and SparkMeter. Emerging players are BioLite and Sun King (Greenlight Planet).
Does Inclusive Energy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Inclusive Energy.
What industry is Inclusive Energy in?
Inclusive Energy's product category is Smart Metering Hardware for Off-Grid Energy. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUADAFAA, AMI Smart Meters (Electric) & Meter Hardware, with a secondary code of EUADAFAH, Customer Energy Engagement (In-Home Displays, Portals, Usage Insights). Its NAICS code is 334514 and its SIC code is 3600.