SolarAid
SolarAid is a UK-registered charity founded in 2006 that distributes affordable solar lighting to off-grid households in sub-Saharan Africa through product sales, pay-as-you-go service models, and a network of community entrepreneurs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What SolarAid does
SolarAid is a UK-registered international development charity founded in 2006, focused on combating energy poverty by distributing solar lighting products to off-grid communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The organisation operates through its social enterprise arm, SunnyMoney, and serves rural households without access to grid electricity as its primary beneficiaries, with secondary beneficiaries including schools and health clinics. It claims cumulative distribution of 2.5 million lights and reports $315 million in cumulative savings for beneficiary families.
SolarAid's core product is the SM100 pico-solar light, a small, affordable solar-powered LED lantern designed as a replacement for kerosene lamps. Beyond product distribution, the organisation runs multiple programmes: Light a Village (an Energy-as-a-Service pay-as-you-go model), Light Libraries, Mayi Walas (a women's entrepreneurship programme), Solar Entrepreneurs (a community distribution network of approximately 170 entrepreneurs), Powering Healthcare, School Campaigns, and E-waste/Repair initiatives. Technical components include solar photovoltaic panels, LED systems, battery storage, and mobile-money-enabled pay-as-a-service infrastructure supporting the Energy-as-a-Service model piloted in Namanongo in 2026.
SolarAid's business model combines charitable donations (typically £15 per light), corporate partnerships including RS Group (three-year, $1.3M target), EDF Renewables, and Meavo, direct product sales through the SunnyMoney social enterprise, and microfinance partnerships. The organisation employs 51-100 staff across multiple country offices in sub-Saharan Africa plus its UK headquarters, and has expanded into Senegal and Madagascar in 2025 alongside established operations in other regional markets.
SolarAid firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SolarAid
- Legal name
- SolarAid
- Website
- https://solar-aid.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- SolarAid is a UK-registered charity founded in 2006 that distributes affordable solar lighting to off-grid households in sub-Saharan Africa through product sales, pay-as-you-go service models, and a network of community entrepreneurs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SolarAid industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Off-Grid Solar Lighting Distribution (Charity)
- NAICS
- Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation (22111)
- SIC
- Electric Services (4911), Services-Social Services (8300)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Solar Distribution & Wholesale Supply (Channel, Procurement, Logistics) (EUAMABAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Solar Financing, Leasing & Ownership Platforms (Tax Equity, PPA, Securitization) (EUAMABAJ), Community Solar Development & Subscription Management (EUAMAJAA)
Keywords
Where SolarAid is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
SolarAid business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate donations, and fundraising activities form a primary revenue stream. Donors can contribute specific amounts (£15 per light) or fundraise through events, challenges, and campaigns. Corporate partners like RS Group provide matched funding and employee donations.
- Solar Light Sales: SunnyMoney social enterprise sells solar lights at fair market prices through local entrepreneurs and agents. Sales revenue is recycled back into the organization to support operations and expand reach.
- Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with companies like RS Group, EDF Renewables, Meavo, and others provide funding, product contributions, and employee engagement. Partners receive ESG benefits and impact reporting.
- Microfinance Services: FEBCO cooperative provides microfinance to entrepreneurs, generating interest income while supporting the solar ecosystem. Lendwithcare channels external financing to the cooperative.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | One solar light donation |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Shop purchases |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
SolarAid product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SolarAid is a UK-registered international development charity that funds and distributes pico-solar lights to off-grid households in sub-Saharan Africa, replacing dangerous kerosene lamps with affordable solar lighting. Distribution is operated through SunnyMoney, a wholly-owned social enterprise that sells lights via a trained network of 170+ local entrepreneurs, teachers, and agents in Malawi and Zambia, while complementary programmes (Light a Village/Energy-as-a-Service, Light Libraries, Mayi Walas, Powering Healthcare, School Campaigns, and Repair/E-waste) extend reach into communities and clinics.
Product overview
SolarAid is an international development charity providing solar lighting solutions to underserved communities in sub-Saharan Africa. The core product is the Solar Light (pico-solar/SM100), a small handheld device that replaces dangerous kerosene lamps. Distribution is handled through SunnyMoney, the social enterprise arm that builds sustainable markets via local entrepreneurs. Key programmes include Light a Village/Energy-as-a-Service for community-wide deployment, Light Libraries for school-based rentals, Solar Entrepreneurs Programme for last-mile distribution, Mayi Walas for women's entrepreneurship, Powering Healthcare for clinic solar systems, School Campaigns for awareness, and the Solar Light Repair programme for e-waste reduction. Additional modules include PAYG Entry Level Lights for financing and FEBCO microfinancing for entrepreneurs. The portfolio forms an integrated ecosystem addressing energy access from distribution to maintenance.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Solar Lights (Pico-solar / SM100) Small handheld solar-powered LED lights that convert sunlight into electricity via integrated solar panels, charging batteries to power efficient LEDs. The flagship product enabling families across sub-Saharan Africa to replace dangerous kerosene lamps with clean, safe, affordable light.
- SunnyMoney Social Enterprise SolarAid's wholly-owned social enterprise arm that builds sustainable solar markets in rural Africa through a community distribution model using teachers, local shops, and independent agents to sell solar lights year-round.
- Light a Village / Energy-as-a-Service Community-wide solar deployment programme providing free solar home systems to entire villages; families pay only for energy usage via pay-as-you-go financing, achieving 100% solar access in pilot communities.
- Light Libraries School-based rental programme where students borrow solar lights from school 'Light Libraries' for approximately 2p/day to study at home, generating revenue for schools while enabling children to complete homework after dark.
- Solar Entrepreneurs Programme Programme that trains and supports local entrepreneurs to sell solar lights, creating sustainable income and business opportunities while building local markets that reach the last mile.
- Mayi Walas ('Shining Mothers') Programme recruiting, training and supporting women entrepreneurs to run solar light businesses across rural Malawi, providing access to group-based training, finance and ongoing business support.
- Solar Powering Healthcare Programme installing solar home systems and solar-powered medical equipment at rural health facilities, enabling safer childbirth deliveries, emergency care, vaccine storage, and improved healthcare delivery after dark.
- School Campaigns Awareness and distribution campaigns in partnership with schools and head teachers that build trust and demand for solar lights; teachers inform children who inform parents, reaching over 12 million people through educational outreach.
- Solar Light Repair / E-waste Programme Programme extending solar light lifespans through training of repair technicians, conducting community repair days, and developing an open-source repair application to reduce electronic waste in rural Africa.
- Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) Entry Level Lights Financing mechanism enabling families to spread the cost of solar lights over time rather than making one-off cash payments, improving affordability for the poorest households.
- Microfinancing / FEBCO Cooperative Affordable financing solutions for solar entrepreneurs including a zero-interest credit facility in Zambia (stock on consignment) and FEBCO (Financing Energy Businesses Cooperative), the first energy-focused cooperative in Malawi.
Quantifiable outcome
- 2.5 million lights distributed worldwide
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use SolarAid
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
SolarAid technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
SolarAid partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, supporting and minor.
- RS GroupcoreThree-year partnership announced in FY26 (ending March 2026) to raise $1.3 million for solar lighting in rural African communities. Combines corporate donations, matched funding, RS PRO product contributions, employee fundraising, skills-based volunteering, and visits to project sites in Malawi and Zambia. Forms part of RS Group's 2030 ESG action plan.
- REAL Programme CatalystcoreCo-development partner for the Energy-as-a-Service (Light a Village) model. REAL Programme Catalyst works with SolarAid to deliver the programme across several countries in sub-Saharan Africa, enabling 100% solar access for communities.
- MeavosupportingSince 2020, Meavo has raised over £72,080 through its partnership with SolarAid. For every phone booth or meeting pod sold, Meavo donates 2 solar lamps, enabling over 7,200 solar lamps to reach families in Africa.
- PinwheelsupportingPinwheel supports SolarAid through their tech platform, helping businesses take sustainable action and supporting SolarAid's mission while engaging their customers and employees.
- Studio KinzasupportingSince 2022, Dubai-based Studio Kinza has supported SolarAid by raising awareness through candle-making workshops and events. For every candle sold and workshop conducted, they donate $1 USD to SolarAid.
- Nomad ExhibitionssupportingAs part of their commitment to promote sustainable development and reduce fossil fuel use, Nomad Exhibitions provides financial support, valuable expertise, and exhibition systems to help promote SolarAid's work.
- Xpreme Solar Solutions UgandaminorSolarAid opened its office in Uganda in 2014 to help build a sustainable solar market. The team distributed over 80,000 solar lights and is now run as an independent, Ugandan-run entity that SolarAid continues to support.
- ElleSolaire SenegalminorSolarAid partnered with ElleSolaire in Senegal to support female entrepreneurs to build last-mile energy businesses and bring solar light and power to rural off-grid communities. The partnership aims to train and strengthen capacities of rural women in solar entrepreneurship.
- Moon and Easy SolarsupportingCollaborative initiatives including the REAL Programme Catalysts with Moon and Easy Solar, working on social impact programs for solar energy access in underserved communities.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
SolarAid competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- d.light: d.light designs, manufactures, and distributes affordable solar lanterns and PAYG home systems across sub-Saharan Africa. Directly comparable to SolarAid's pico-solar distribution through entrepreneurs and PAYG financing in the same geographies.
- M-KOPA: M-KOPA is a leading PAYG solar provider in East Africa serving off-grid households with solar home systems and connected financing. Comparable to SolarAid's PAYG entry-level lights and Energy-as-a-Service offerings targeting the same low-income, off-grid customer base.
- Sun King (Greenlight Planet): Greenlight Planet (Sun King) sells solar lanterns and PAYG home systems through agent networks across Africa and Asia. Closely comparable to SolarAid's SunnyMoney social-enterprise model with community-based distribution.
- BBOXX: BBOXX is a PAYG solar provider deploying solar home systems across sub-Saharan Africa with financing and remote monitoring tech. Comparable in product (off-grid solar) and distribution model (last-mile agents).
- Zola Electric: Zola Electric (formerly Off Grid Electric – Tanzania) provides PAYG solar home systems to off-grid households across East and West Africa. Directly comparable in product, financing mechanism, and target customer.
Broad incumbents
- Fenix International (ENGIE): Fenix International, acquired by ENGIE, is a PAYG solar provider in Uganda. A broader incumbent now part of a multinational energy platform, comparable in PAYG solar distribution in East Africa.
- GiveDirectly: GiveDirectly is a large-scale cash-transfer charity operating across sub-Saharan Africa. Comparable as a comparable-scale, technology-enabled international development nonprofit with measurable household-level impact, though not in solar.
- One Acre Fund: One Acre Fund is a large nonprofit serving smallholder farmers in East Africa with inputs, financing, and training. Comparable as a comparable-scale international development nonprofit using a community entrepreneur network and PAYG-like financing to reach rural households.
Others
- Acumen: Acumen is a global impact investor and funder of off-grid energy and social enterprises across Africa and South Asia. Comparable as an adjacent ecosystem participant funding and supporting the same off-grid solar entrepreneurs SolarAid trains.
Emerging players
- Greenlight Planet Foundation: Greenlight Planet Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sun King focused on energy access for the poorest households. Comparable to SolarAid as a foundation distributing subsidized solar lighting via partner channels in sub-Saharan Africa.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
SolarAid social profiles
Digital presenceSolarAid financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SolarAid leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
SolarAid subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
SolarAid funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SolarAid 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 SolarAid
What does SolarAid do?
SolarAid is a UK-registered international development charity that funds and distributes pico-solar lights to off-grid households in sub-Saharan Africa, replacing dangerous kerosene lamps with affordable solar lighting. Distribution is operated through SunnyMoney, a wholly-owned social enterprise that sells lights via a trained network of 170+ local entrepreneurs, teachers, and agents in Malawi and Zambia, while complementary programmes (Light a Village/Energy-as-a-Service, Light Libraries, Mayi Walas, Powering Healthcare, School Campaigns, and Repair/E-waste) extend reach into communities and clinics.
Is SolarAid a public or private company?
SolarAid is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was SolarAid founded?
SolarAid was founded in 2006. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is SolarAid based?
SolarAid is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does SolarAid make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Fundraising is the primary driver. The others are solar Light Sales, corporate Partnerships and microfinance Services.
Who are SolarAid's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are d.light, M-KOPA, Sun King (Greenlight Planet), BBOXX and Zola Electric. Broad incumbents are Fenix International (ENGIE), GiveDirectly and One Acre Fund. Acumen is listed as an others. Greenlight Planet Foundation is listed as an emerging player.
Does SolarAid have an API?
No public API is recorded for SolarAid.
What industry is SolarAid in?
SolarAid's product category is Off-Grid Solar Lighting Distribution (Charity). Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAMABAK, Solar Distribution & Wholesale Supply (Channel, Procurement, Logistics), with a secondary code of EUAMABAJ, Solar Financing, Leasing & Ownership Platforms (Tax Equity, PPA, Securitization). Its NAICS code is 221114 and its SIC code is 4911.