Mobisol, one of the leading providers of smart rent-to-own solar solutions in East Africa, has installed 50,000 solar systems for rural homes and businesses, enabling it connect over 250,000 beneficiaries to off-grid energy.

Thomas Gottschalk, the Mobisol founder and chief executive officer, said access to clean, affordable and reliable energy empowers entire communities to live up to their potential – improving economic well-being and uplifting people’s quality of life. Besides home lighting, customers can use their solar systems to power small energy-based businesses. 

"Reliable solar power raises the living standards of rural families who do not have access to the grid. Using Mobisol solar energy 150,000 children can now do their homework at night without inhaling the noxious fumes of kerosene lamps,” Gottschalk said. Under the Berlin-based firm’s rent-to-own approach, clients pay for the solar systems in small installments for over three years, making the energy solution affordable for low-income customers. 

Thomas Duveau, the firm’s head of business development, said, "Stand-alone solar systems that cover 100 of the electricity needs of customers are the future of energy provision for emerging nations because they are logistically easy to implement, affordable and more reliable than the grid.” 

About 15,000 small businesses generate an additional household income of over €5 million per year with their Mobisol system, which has helped create over 800 new green jobs. Its "Mobisol Akademie” provides a comprehensive technical education for the firm’s employees, according to Duveau.