Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) is an innovative business model where energy service companies sell or lease solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, usually solar home systems (SHS), to customers in exchange for regular payments via mobile money, cash or scratch cards [1]. Due to the range of packages available, customers can choose from starter kits that supply a few lights and charge cell phones, to larger systems that can power TVs, radios, stoves and small fridges [1][2]. In some cases, if a customer cannot make payments, the energy service provider is able to switch off the system remotely, and switch them on again once payment is made [2
Energy storage refers to technologies that capture one form of energy (usually electrical) when generated and store it as another (chemical, thermal, mechanical or electrochemical) for release when required [1]. Storage is essential for enabling the use of variable renewable energy (vRE) such as solar and wind due to its intermittent nature.
Access to clean cooking is essential for leading a healthy and productive life. Clean cooking solutions comprise fuels and technologies that cause very little or no household air pollution. While the definition of ‘clean cooking’ varies, they all broadly include technical aspects (type of fuel, stove efficiency), environmental (exposure, ventilation, etc.) and social aspects (access). Various sources also define certain clean fuels based largely on their emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHG), including solar, biogas, natural gas, liquified petroleum gas (LPG), ethanol-based fuels. Other measures include other multi-dimensional factors, including exposure, fuel efficiency, safety, convenience, affordability, and availability. The focus of this solution is renewable sources and enablers that can be used for clean cooking, excluding fossil fuels such as natural gas and LPG that might meet the definition of clean cooking, but are not renewable.
