M-KOPA: Are Smart Batteries the Key to Scaling Efficient and Affordable Off-Grid Appliances?

Large, low-energy appliances for off- and weak-grid areas are not yet common. Batteries are crucial for reliable off-grid energy, including solar home systems and lighting. If a battery fails, users might have to switch to kerosene, which emits greenhouse gases and can cause health issues like respiratory problems. One particularly thought-provoking stat is that, each year, nearly 4 million people die prematurely from illnesses attributed to household air pollution from inefficient cooking practices using polluting stoves, paired with kerosene. One step towards alleviating this is to have a system which can inform the consumer when a battery is close to failing.

The Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund supported M-KOPA in creating smart battery chip technology. This technology provides real-time battery health reports, helping customers avoid maintenance costs and ensuring consistent service. It also works as a pay-as-you-go business model, which reduces the upfront ownership costs for customers.

Follow M-KOPA toward a more sustainable and efficient future through their full report.