Solergie

What Solergie does

Solergie is a Belgian social enterprise headquartered in Bruges with primary operations in Lomé, Togo, that designs, manufactures, and deploys solar nano-grid systems for rural electrification in West Africa. Founded in 2008 as Solar without Borders and operating commercially since 2013, the company sells and operates the SolergieBox, a modular 220V solar nano-grid available in an 800W standard configuration and a 1,200W XL variant, capable of supplying 600Wh to 1,200Wh of daily output and connecting up to eight clients per unit. Installed units are monitored remotely over mobile networks and exposed via an open developer API. As of the most recent disclosures, more than 1,119 SolergieBox nano-grids have been installed, serving over 20,000 people and 264+ businesses across Togo, Guinea, Nigeria, and Guinea-Bissau, with a reported installation rate of ten nano-grids per week.

The company operates a consume-to-own business model in which end users pay progressive fees via mobile money (Moov/Flooz in Togo) toward eventual ownership of the system, supplemented by equipment pre-financing for productive-use micro-entrepreneurs. Revenue mechanics combine end-user payments, a 3 EUR/month per-client subsidy from the Togolese government under a 15-year license granted in November 2020 (which also carries tax exemptions), and blended development finance from partners including Total, AFD/ADEME, Power Africa, and GET.invest. The end customers are off-grid rural households and micro-entrepreneurs across West Africa; the company employs between 11 and 50 staff and is led by CEO Marianne Criel following an April 2022 leadership transition from founder Bert Bernolet.

Name

Solergie

Legal name

Solergie NV

Website

https://solergie.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Solergie is a Belgian social enterprise that designs and deploys SolergieBox solar nano-grid systems delivering 220V electricity to off-grid rural households and micro-entrepreneurs across West Africa via a consume-to-own mobile-money model under a 15-year Togolese government license.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Off-grid Solar Energy Systems

NAICS

Solar Electric Power Generation (221114), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211), Electric Power Distribution (221122)

SIC

Cogeneration Services & Small Power Producers (4991), Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Microgrids & Shared Distributed Generation (EUACALAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Distributed Generation (DG) Solar & Small Wind (EUAMAJAD), Renewable Distributed Generation (Rooftop/Onsite Solar, Small Wind, Small Hydro) (EUACALAJ), Distributed Storage (Behind-the-Meter Batteries) (EUAMAJAE), Microgrid & Distributed Grid Equipment (Controllers, Switchgear Packages, DER Interconnection) (IMAGAAAJ)

Keywords

• Off-grid solar systems
• Rural electrification solutions
• Solar nano-grid infrastructure
• Pay-as-you-go solar
• Productive use of energy

Headquarters

HQ city

Bruges

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Nano-grid Hardware Sales (Consume-to-Own): Customers progressively pay for the SolergieBox through mobile money over time. Once total cost is paid off, customers become owners. Energy allocation is proportional to payment percentage (e.g., 15% paid = 15% of daily energy).
2. Energy Consumption Revenue: Revenue generated from per-unit energy consumption payments. Customers pay via SMS mobile money system for energy credits. Automated disconnection when credit expires.
3. Equipment Prefinancing: Solergie pref finances equipment such as fridges and irrigation pumps for local businesses, recovering costs through the consume-to-own payment model.
4. Government Subsidy (Togo): In Togo, Solergie receives a government subsidy of 3 euros per month per client as part of their 15-year license for the national electrification strategy (CIZO project).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Solergie designs, assembles and deploys smart solar nano-grid systems (SolergieBox) that provide 220V electricity to up to 8 households or micro-entrepreneurs in off-grid rural communities in West Africa. The systems are sold under a consume-to-own pay-as-you-go model where customers pay via mobile money and progressively become owners proportional to their consumption, with remote monitoring via SMS.

Product overview

Solergie offers a portfolio of smart solar nano-grid products designed for rural electrification in off-grid communities. The core product is the SolergieBox, a modular 220V solar power system that serves up to 8 households or micro-entrepreneurs per unit. The product line includes the standard SolergieBox 800 (600Wh/day) and the higher-capacity SolergieBox XL (1200Wh/day). SolergieBoxes are produced locally in Togo and operate under a consume-to-own model where customers pay via mobile money and progressively become owners proportional to their consumption. The systems are connected to an online monitoring platform and support productive use of energy for businesses including refrigeration, sewing machines, irrigation pumps, and cinemas.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SolergieBox 800 Standard SolergieBox smart solar nano-grid system with maximum power of 800W and average daily production of 600Wh. Includes 2 solar panels (275Wp each), 2 batteries (55Ah), 1 inverter (800W to 220V), and 8 individual energy meters. Maximum distance between box and client is approximately 500m. Designed for off-grid rural households and micro-entrepreneurs in West Africa, served under a consume-to-own pay-as-you-go model via mobile money.
• SolergieBox XL Extended capacity SolergieBox with average daily production of 1200Wh. Includes 4 solar panels (275Wp each) and 4 batteries (55Ah each). Designed for higher energy demand scenarios while maintaining the modular, scalable architecture of the standard SolergieBox. Connects up to 8 clients at 220V with individual meters under the consume-to-own model.
• Solergie Nano-Grid Infrastructure Solar nano-grid infrastructure solution that distributes stored energy to power multiple consumers (max 8) simultaneously. Operates on the 220V continental standard, provides scalable capacity, and uses pay-as-you-go functionality ensuring adaptability and affordability. Designed as an off-grid alternative positioned between individual solar home systems and conventional mini-grids.

Quantifiable outcome

• 20,165 people with access to sustainable affordable energy
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FRES (Foundation Rural Energy Services)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2021Dutch non-profit promoting rural electrification in Africa through locally managed commercial electricity companies. Uses Solergie nanogrids in Guinea-Bissau for women's cooperative cooling facility.
• Technology Global Services Ltd / Tech Global ManufacturingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Partner in Lagos, Nigeria that enabled the first SolergieBox arrival in Nigeria in August 2020.
• Guinea EnergyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Partnership established in September 2019 to distribute SolergieBox in Guinea. First box successfully installed.
• TotalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for scaling up operations. Total challenges the business model and provides local support in Togo. They co-organized the 100th SolergieBox press conference. Total can open doors that stay closed otherwise.
• Moov/FloozcoreTechnology or IntegrationMobile operator in Togo. Flooz integrated SolergieBox model in mobile payment system. Customers pay for SolergieBoxes via mobile money (Flooz). Moov helps with marketing campaigns in Togo.
• GET.investcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMobilises renewable energy investments. Provides advisory support and finance facilitation for Solergie's expansion across Africa.
• Power Africa (USAID)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerUS government initiative bringing together technical and legal experts, private sector, and governments. Helps facilitate contact with partners and investors and provides strategic support for African electrification.
• JVE (Young Volunteers for the Environment)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNon-profit youth-oriented environmental NGO. Provides employment opportunities for young people as solar technicians and sales agents for Solergie in Togo.
• The Oval OfficeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDebugged, Medialife and Illus Communications help develop marketing materials including logo, corporate identity, website, brochures, flyers, customer explanation cards, and presentations.
• Entrepreneurs du MondeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerIn Togo, select young entrepreneurs and guide them in realizing their business plans. Part of social impact approach for micro-enterprise development.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• d.light: Solar energy company selling lanterns and home systems on pay-as-you-go terms across Africa and Asia. Comparable off-grid customer base and pay-as-you-go financing approach.
• BBOXX: UK-headquartered solar energy company providing pay-as-you-go solar home systems across Africa. Comparable product category, pay-as-you-go financing model, and rural off-grid customer segment.
• Zola Electric: Off-grid solar home systems and mini-grid provider across sub-Saharan Africa. Closely comparable pay-as-you-go and mobile-money-based model targeting similar rural off-grid households and micro-businesses.
• M-KOPA: Kenyan pay-as-you-go solar home system provider serving off-grid households across East Africa. Closely comparable mobile-money-based ownership model and target customer profile.
• Husk Power Systems: Operates solar and biomass mini-grids serving rural customers and small businesses across South Asia and Africa. Closely comparable mini-grid architecture and rural productive-use customer base.
• Sun King (Greenlight Planet): Global off-grid solar energy provider selling pay-as-you-go home systems across emerging markets. Similar product category, financing model, and rural off-grid customer focus.
• PowerGen Renewable Energy: Designs, builds and operates solar mini-grids across East and West Africa serving off-grid communities. Operates in adjacent geographies with a similar customer base and productive-use focus.

Broad incumbents

• ENGIE Energy Access: Africa-focused distributed energy arm of utility ENGIE, offering solar home systems and mini-grids across multiple African countries. Overlapping customer segments with materially larger capital base and broader product portfolio.
• Fenix International (an ENGIE company): Acquired by ENGIE, distributes pay-as-you-go solar home systems across Uganda and East Africa. Comparable financing model and rural off-grid customer segment, with deeper capital backing and a broader installed base.
• TotalEnergies Marketing Africa: African downstream arm of TotalEnergies and Solergie's strategic partner in Togo. Provides fuel distribution and is expanding into off-grid solar and mini-grids, with directly comparable market footprint and overlapping customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/solergie
• Facebookfacebook.com/SolergieTogo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/energy-kiosks-cvba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Solergie