Publication date: April 2024
Author: USAID
Description: In 2019, Power Africa launched the “Solar Home System Kick-Starter Program for Malawi” to expand energy access, grow the private sector in the country, and attract qualified international solar home system players into the Malawian market. During the Kick-Starter grant performance period – July 2019 to September 2022 – grantees sold a total of 108,721 solar home systems.
A typical system comprises a solar panel, battery, radio, and light bulbs. By placing the panel in sunlight during the day, the solar energy can be stored (in a small battery) and used to power lights and small appliances.
The grant awarded up to $2 million in results-based funding and provided operational support to four Malawian solar home system companies. The four grant winners were SolarWorks!, VITALITE, Yellow, and Zuwa Energy. Kick-Starter grantees have measurably increased their presence in Malawi and are still actively growing their operations following the end of the grant program.
