Solarkiosk

What Solarkiosk does

Solarkiosk Solutions GmbH is a Berlin-based, privately-held social enterprise founded in 2011 that designs and operates the E-HUBB, a proprietary modular solar-powered infrastructure unit built for rural off-grid communities. The company functions simultaneously as a trading platform, system integrator, service provider, and business incubator, sourcing and distributing solar products while engineering turnkey energy-connectivity-productivity solutions. Its technology stack extends the core E-HUBB into verticalized variants including the Connected Solar Clinic (autonomous medical facility), Connected Solar School (off-grid education with broadband), Connected Solar Market Center (multi-tenant retail hub), and Solar Powered Water Pumping systems — all powered by the central E-HUBB architecture.

The business operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise project sales to corporates, NGOs, and governments with a distributed retail network of approximately 250 E-HUBBs across 15 countries, reaching roughly 5 million end-users and processing up to 40,000 daily transactions in East Africa. Revenue derives from hardware sales of E-HUBBs and components, project-based system integration contracts, micro-lease financing of consumer solar products, and business incubation services. Flagship commercial relationships include the EKOCENTER co-branding partnership with The Coca-Cola Company (50 E-HUBBs in Rwanda), Siemens Stiftung on the Connected Solar Clinic, and EU/DEI co-financing of multi-country deployments. The company's footprint spans six African markets via wholly-owned subsidiaries (Kenya, Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Indonesia) plus project-based presence in Jordan, Bangladesh, India, Madagascar, Zambia, and the Philippines, with a 2024 expansion into German residential solar via the SunRoof brand and a Solarworx joint venture.

Name

Solarkiosk

Legal name

Solarkiosk Solutions GmbH

Website

https://solarkiosk.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Solarkiosk Solutions GmbH (Berlin, founded 2011) designs the proprietary E-HUBB modular solar hub and related Connected Solar products, deploying approximately 250 units across 15 countries to deliver energy, connectivity, retail, and business services to off-grid Base-of-the-Pyramid communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Off-grid solar energy infrastructure

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Electric Services (4911), Electronic & Other Electrical Equipment (No Computer Equip) (3600)

akta.pro primary industry

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Solar EPC & Construction (Utility-Scale, Rooftop, Balance of System) (EUAMABAB), Commissioning, Testing & Energization Services (Pre-Commissioning, Grid Code Compliance) (EUAMAFAK)

Keywords

• Off-grid solar solutions
• Renewable energy infrastructure
• Solar power equipment
• Rural electrification systems
• Solar energy distribution

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Solar Product Trading: SOLARKIOSK operates as a trading platform connecting quality solar products with credible customers and projects in off-grid frontier markets. The company sources and distributes solar products, components, and solutions.
2. System Integration: As a system integrator, SOLARKIOSK designs, engineers, and implements complete solar power solutions combining solar products with turnkey solutions for off-grid communities.
3. E-HUBB Distribution Network: Revenue generated through operating a network of E-HUBB retail hubs that sell solar products, fast-moving consumer goods, and energy services to end customers in rural communities.
4. Micro-Lease Financing: Supplier-agnostic micro-lease program financing quality solar products to private consumers without requiring engagement with banks. Offers products from small lamps to larger home systems and solar-powered TVs.
5. Business Incubation Services: Services to create sustainable businesses in off-grid frontier markets including business plan development, marketing strategies, and operational support for entrepreneurs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Solarkiosk designs, engineers and manufactures the proprietary E-HUBB, a modular, transportable, solar-powered unit that serves as an energy-connectivity-productivity gateway for rural off-grid communities. The company combines quality solar products from multiple suppliers with turnkey solar power solutions (E-HUBB, Connected Solar Clinic, Connected Solar School, Connected Solar Market Center, THE PULSE), distributes them through owned retail hubs and a global distributor network, and provides business incubation services to entrepreneurs in frontier markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• E-HUBB: Proprietary award-winning solar technology-design that powers the energy-connectivity-productivity gateway in rural off-grid communities
• THE PULSE
• Connected Solar Market Center (CSMC)
• EKOCENTER powered by SOLARKIOSK
• Connected Solar Clinic
• Connected Solar School

Products and services

• E-HUBB Modular, robust, secure, multi-functional, lightweight and easily transportable solar-powered unit that serves as an energy-connectivity-productivity gateway for rural off-grid communities. Powers lighting, mobile charging, computers, refrigeration, connectivity and other electrical devices, and forms the basis of multiple vertical-specific configurations. Sold to enterprise partners (e.g., Coca-Cola EKOCENTER) and operated through Solarkiosk's own E-HUBB retail network reaching approximately 5 million people across 15 countries.
• Connected Solar Clinic Energy-autonomous medical clinic configuration of the E-HUBB, entirely independent from the electrical grid, powering medical devices, air conditioning and broadband connectivity for healthcare delivery in off-grid and humanitarian settings. Used in projects with Jordanian Ministry of Health and other humanitarian health programs, with the Mafraq deployment estimated to facilitate treatment for up to 20,000 people per year.
• Connected Solar School Solar-powered educational facility that delivers electricity, educational tools (laptops, tablets, projectors, printers) and broadband internet connectivity to schools and education centers in off-grid areas and refugee camps. Deployed with SES for connectivity and UNICEF for content in the Zaatari refugee camp serving more than 80,000 refugees.
• Connected Solar Market Center (CSMC) Multi-business solar-powered hub hosting multiple independent entrepreneurs (restaurants, barbershops, viewing halls, retail kiosks) that access energy from a central E-HUBB while sharing space, infrastructure and business support. Functions as a solar-powered rural mall serving up to 40,000 transactions per day across East Africa and has empowered over 200 retail shops, F&B shops and healthcare facilities across Africa and Asia.
• THE PULSE Physical network of solar-powered rural business, trading, leisure and service centers tailored for rural African communities. Built around E-HUBBs serving as the retail anchor structure, THE PULSE extends the Connected Solar Market Center concept to a coordinated, branded network serving approximately 5 million customers.
• Solar Powered Water Pumping Solar-powered water pumping systems for drinking water access and agricultural irrigation in off-grid areas, deployed in Ethiopia and other markets to provide reliable water supply where grid power is unavailable.
• E-HUBB Food & Beverage (F&B) Solution Solar-powered food and beverage retail configuration of the E-HUBB, equipped with beverage cooling, cooking facilities and refrigeration. Enables restaurants, bars and beverage sellers to operate in remote off-grid locations without grid power or diesel generators.
• SunRoof (Germany) Solar installation services for German residential and commercial clients, operated by Solarkiosk Solutions GmbH through its SunRoof (Germany) brand in partnership with Solarworx. Extends the company's solar expertise from frontier markets to the German domestic market.
• Micro-Lease Financing Program Consumer financing service that provides supplier-agnostic micro-leases for quality solar products through the E-HUBB network. Offers products ranging from small lamps to home solar systems and solar-powered TVs to private consumers, smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs in frontier markets without requiring traditional bank engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached approximately 5 million people with energy services across 15 countries
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• SolarworxcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024SOLARKIOSK and Solarworx launching solar project company in Germany to expand solar services to German clients.
• East African PowerflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2022SOLARKIOSK and East African Power joined forces in October 2022 to build THE PULSE, solar powered malls for business, productivity, and leisure throughout rural African communities. THE PULSE is a physical network of rural business, trading, leisure and service centers.
• KOPETINDO (Indonesian Renewable Energy Cooperative)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2021Indonesian Renewable Energy Cooperative partner for solar-powered COVID-19 vaccination and test center implementation in Indonesia.
• KLABUminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Groundbreaking project in partnership with Paris Saint-Germain Endowment Fund and KLABU to power the PSG/KLABU refugee camp sports centre in Cox Bazaar.
• Solargao LtdminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020MoU signed between SOLARKIOSK Solutions GmbH and Solargao Ltd from Bangladesh to implement innovative solar solutions in Bangladesh and worldwide.
• UNITARminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020SOLARKIOSK and UNITAR launched a Solar Power Initiative against COVID-19 to increase response capacities of African healthcare systems.
• 8minutenergy/Abundant Future OrganizationminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership to inaugurate five solar powered mini-clinics at Rohingya refugee communities in Cox Bazaar, Bangladesh.
• HOPE FoundationminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2018Partnership for implementing five solar powered mini-clinics at Rohingya refugee communities in Bangladesh.
• Energy4ImpactcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2017SOLARKIOSK partnered with Energy4Impact to bring energy access to entrepreneurs in rural off-grid communities in Kenya. E4I provides business advisory support to deploy the first Connected Solar Market Centers in Kenya.
• Siemens StiftungcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Cooperation partnership for the Connected Solar Clinic - the first energy-autonomous clinic structure. Siemens Stiftung supported the design and implementation of the clinic in Jordan's Mafraq Governorate.
• SiemenscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Partnership with Siemens for the Connected Solar Clinic designed and implemented by SOLARKIOSK. The clinic is entirely autonomous from the electrical grid, powering medical devices, air conditioning and broadband connectivity.
• Plan International GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017E-HUBB enables Plan International Ghana to support female entrepreneurs in Northern Ghana. Stakeholders at the launch of the solar hub support female entrepreneurship initiatives.
• Honey Care AfricaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2017Partnership to distribute local, honey-based food products in Kenya through SOLARKIOSK's E-HUBB network.
• Zambia BreweriesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017SOLARKIOSK supports Zambia Breweries to bring EXTRA COLD Castle Lite beer to off-grid areas in Zambia. Three E-HUBBs owned by Zambia Breweries operated by local entrepreneurs.
• Relief InternationalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2017Relief International runs remedial education centers in Zaatari refugee camp powered by SOLARKIOSK's E-HUBB technology, with support from UNICEF.
• SES (SES S.A.)coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2016Partnership to pioneer the first Connected Solar School delivering electricity and broadband internet connectivity to education centers in Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan. SES provides Astra Connect broadband platform while SOLARKIOSK provides solar energy via E-HUBB.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016UNICEF supported the Connected Solar School initiative in Zaatari refugee camp, providing quality e-learning materials. The school utilizes SOLARKIOSK's E-HUBB technology and SES's broadband connectivity.
• The Coca-Cola CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Partnership through the EKOCENTER project with Coca-Cola since December 2014. E-HUBBs branded as 'EKOCENTER powered by SOLARKIOSK' provide solar products, fast-moving consumer goods and energy services in rural communities across Africa.
• NABU e.V.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014SOLARKIOSK contributed three E-HUBBs to NABU's Kafa Biosphere Project in Ethiopia for biodiversity protection. E-HUBBs boost clean energy sources for the Reserve's inhabitants.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• M-KOPA: M-KOPA is a leading pay-as-you-go solar home system provider in East Africa serving off-grid households. It directly competes with Solarkiosk for the same Base-of-the-Pyramid energy access market, although M-KOPA focuses on household-scale systems while Solarkiosk operates community-scale E-HUBB infrastructure.
• d.light: d.light designs, manufactures, and distributes affordable solar lanterns and home systems across Africa and Asia. It is a direct competitor in off-grid distributed solar energy access, overlapping with Solarkiosk's micro-lease and E-HUBB retail offerings.
• BBOXX: BBOXX is a UK-based provider of solar home systems and distributed energy solutions across Sub-Saharan Africa. It directly competes with Solarkiosk in delivering solar energy access to off-grid customers, with comparable pay-as-you-go financing models.
• Sun King (Greenlight Planet): Sun King sells pay-as-you-go solar home systems and lanterns across Africa and Asia through a large distribution network. It directly competes with Solarkiosk's E-HUBB model by addressing the same end-customers with smaller-form-factor solar products.
• Zola Electric: Zola Electric (formerly Off Grid Electric) provides distributed solar-plus-storage systems for households and businesses in Tanzania, Rwanda, and other African markets. It competes with Solarkiosk in delivering off-grid power infrastructure in overlapping geographies.
• PowerGen Renewable Energy: PowerGen builds and operates mini-grids and distributed solar systems across East Africa. It is comparable to Solarkiosk in deploying renewable energy infrastructure for rural off-grid communities, particularly in Kenya and Tanzania.
• BioLite: BioLite manufactures clean cooking and off-grid energy products for emerging markets and outdoor use. It overlaps with Solarkiosk's solar-powered F&B, lighting, and charging solutions for Base-of-the-Pyramid customers.

Broad incumbents

• Engie Energy Access: Engie Energy Access (including Fenix International) is a broad incumbent offering solar home systems, mini-grids, and clean cooking across Africa. It overlaps with Solarkiosk's distributed solar and off-grid energy services, but at much larger scale and with a broader product portfolio.
• TotalEnergies (Total Eren / distributor solar): TotalEnergies operates a distributed solar business across Africa through subsidiaries and partnerships. It is a broad incumbent in off-grid and distributed renewables, comparable to Solarkiosk in serving unelectrified markets but with significantly greater capital and geographic scale.

Others

• SunFunder: SunFunder is a solar finance company providing debt capital to distributed energy companies in emerging markets. It is adjacent to Solarkiosk as an ecosystem enabler, particularly relevant given Solarkiosk's micro-lease program and reliance on blended finance.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/solarkiosk
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Solarkiosk
• Facebookfacebook.com/solarkiosk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solarkiosk

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Solarkiosk