Benutzer:Plugintheworld/Artikelentwurf
Company
Mobisol is a German company specializing in solar-powered, decentralized energy solutions and electrical appliances. The company operates in Kenya, Rwanda and Tanzania. In January 2012, Mobisol was registered under German law. In December 2016, the company had sold 70,000 solar home systems to mostly rural customers in its three main markets[1]. The company’s name is a conglomerate of “mobile” (its solar products are based on mobile technology and paid off in instalments via mobile money) and “sol” (for solar energy).
| Type | Private Company |
| Industry | Energy |
| Founded | 2010 in Berlin, Germany |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
| Key people | Thomas Gottschalk, CEO |
| Products | Design, distribution, servicing of solar power products and electrical appliances |
| Number of employees | 700, as of January 2017 |
| Shops | Over 50, as of January 2017 |
| Subsidiaries | Mobisol Kenya Ltd., Mobisol Rwanda Ltd., Mobisol Tanzania Ltd. |
| Website | www.plugintheworld.com |
History
The precursor company to Mobisol (DT Power) was founded in 2010 by our current CEO, Thomas Gottschalk, an engineer by trade. Mobisol GmbH in its current format was founded in January 2012. Together with some of his future and still active managers, e.g. Head of R&D Guido Selent, Gottschalk designed the central product and service offered by Mobisol, which, since then, have been continuously improved, together with our expanding customer base.
Products & Services
Mobisol, a leading player in decentralized solar electrification, offers stand-alone solar home systems in sizes between 80 and 200Wp. The core components of these systems are an in-house developed solar controller enabling remote communication with the system, a sealed solar battery and a polycrystalline PV panel. The solar home systems power a range of complementary appliances, such as TVs, stereos, lanterns, mobile phone chargers etc. Mobisol’s products are offered on a rent-to-own basis, via local mobile phone services. This circumvents initial investment hurdles for the customers. Mobile Money banking services like M-Pesa enable such methods; in Mobisol’s case the overall financing period of the solar home systems is 36 months. The products are combined with several services, such as a 3-year warranty scheme, free installation and repair and a free-of-charge customer hotline.
Financing
Mobisol is mainly financed through private equity and commercial debt. In 2016, the company successfully completed a large equity round which was backed by South African Private Equity Fund Investec Asset Management, IFC and FMO. Other funding partners are:
- Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft (DEG)
- European Union – European Development Fund (EU-EDF)
- The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund (AECF)
- Mobile for Development – GSMA
- The Energy and Environment Partnership with Southern and Eastern Africa (EEP)
- Myclimate Partner for carbon offsetting measures like verification and monitoring of the project’s carbon reductions.
Awards
- Technology Review (Germany): Thomas Gottschalk selected as one of the most innovative business men under 35 in 2015[2]
- UNFCCC Momentum for Change Award 2015[3]
- Sustainia 100 2015[4]
References
- ↑ Mobisol. Abgerufen am 21. April 2017.
- ↑ Technology Review: TR35 - Die Gewinner 2015. Abgerufen am 21. April 2017 (deutsch).
- ↑ United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change: Mobisol Smart Solar Homes. Abgerufen am 21. April 2017.
- ↑ Sustainia 100. Abgerufen am 21. April 2017.
