Q&A: Enerbot tackles East Africa's broken solar problem

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Almost half of the installed off-grid solar systems in East Africa become non-functional within a few years due to a lack of proper after-sales services. One enterprise in Rwanda is helping to revive such systems. Renewables Rising interviewed Ivan Asiimwe, founder and CEO of Enerbot, a company revamping broken off-grid solar systems in East Africa.

• Ivan says a pro-local approach to addressing Africa’s energy crisis is necessary, rather than relying solely on foreign aid or companies. More important than this is the significance of energy, and even more crucial, the service and continued functionality of off-grid systems.

• Besides his work at Enerbot, Ivan has over a decade of experience in renewable energy projects across Africa, including leadership roles at RTI International, Energy Action Partners, and ClearSky Power.

More details

Rwanda is recognised for its progressive policies in renewable energy. Can you elaborate on the government's role and the incentives that have made a significant impact?

Ivan Asiimwe: The Rwandan government has been proactive in promoting a favourable environment for renewable energy. More recently, it extended tax incentives to the e-mobility sector. This is why we're seeing companies like Ampersand establishing themselves in Rwanda and looking to scale across East Africa.

There are also technical working groups where government officials and private sector representatives meet quarterly to discuss regulations, taxes, and other dynamics. This collaborative approach has led to positive changes, such as the increase in the cap on captive solar from 50 kilowatts to 100 kilowatts due to private sector advocacy. The decision-makers are often young and dynamic, which is beneficial for the sector's agility.

Now, tell us about Enerbot and what exactly you are doing in this space?

Ivan Asiimwe: Enerbot is addressing the high rate of non-functional solar systems we noticed in the East African region. I'd venture to say that out of every ten off-grid solar systems installed, perhaps four are not working. You find this in schools and healthcare facilities where solar systems, often donor-funded, were installed without a robust maintenance plan, leading to failure within months or years. No one takes ownership.

A connection is meaningless if the end-user can't utilise the energy. We want to look at those failed systems and craft favourable plans for their refurbishment and revamping. This includes leveraging available resources like batteries and connecting them with those in need. We also aim to make renewable energy more accessible and affordable by challenging the perception that solar is expensive or luxurious. 

What's your unique strategy, and how might it revolutionise the energy system in Rwanda?

Ivan Asiimwe: Historically, foreign companies have often been perceived as the go-to solution providers, and local companies sometimes face underestimation. Having worked with international organisations, I know local companies have a distinct advantage: we understand the community, speak the language, and can interface directly to get accurate, first-hand information. We can build trust because we're part of the community, with no exit plan. Unlike larger companies that might install and move on, we're here for the long term.

Our strategy is to focus on reliability and sustained functionality rather than just counting installations. We want to manage a portfolio where we actively ensure systems remain operational, even those deployed by others. We see a massive untapped market in maintaining and optimising these existing assets, from appliance acquisition advice to ongoing system checks and energy efficiency training.

Can you clarify the types of projects Enerbot is currently undertaking and whether you're exclusively focusing on off-grid solutions?

Ivan Asiimwe: Enerbot's priority for system revamping lies with remote off-grid health centres and schools. These are communities that have the greatest need for reliable energy.

For peri-urban and urban areas, we'll be engaging in commercial and industrial solar projects for those interested, and also providing productive use of energy solutions for households seeking reliable power or battery backup systems. We're also working to shift the mindset around electric appliances, demonstrating their affordability and efficiency when properly managed. Many inefficiencies, like leaving security lights on all day, can be tackled with simple technologies like motion sensors or time switches, which we aim to implement.

Can you share any ongoing projects?

Ivan Asiimwe: We're incredibly excited about our partnership with SLS Energy, a young, innovative Rwandan company that recycles and rebuilds lithium batteries from electric vehicles. They've developed a sophisticated process to test and replace individual cells within battery packs, essentially revamping them to near-new performance. What's even better is their commitment to continued service if the battery fails.

Enerbot's role in this partnership is to provide market presence. While SLS focuses on the lab-based work of rebuilding batteries, we are packaging these refurbished batteries with solar PV systems as a full offering. This is a game-changer because many solar installations lack battery storage, limiting their appeal. We're offering this as a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), allowing clients to enjoy the benefits of a robust UPS without a significant upfront cost. This model brings down the overall cost of solar and greatly enhances its value, especially for facilities like healthcare or hotels that require backup power. 

What are the biggest challenges you face as a local energy company?

Ivan Asiimwe: One major perception, which unfortunately holds some truth, is that renewable energy deployment is not inherently profitable on its own. If you look at the finances of many solar mini-grids or solar home system companies, their balance sheets often show negatives. The "sexiness" of clean energy doesn't always translate to financial viability from simply deploying assets. We advocate for coupling energy systems with productive use applications, rather than just consumer electronics that don't generate income.

While the enabling environment in Rwanda is excellent, the challenge lies in customer perception. Many still believe solar can only power small-scale applications, not large facilities or industrial operations. There's also the competition from a stable and affordable national grid, which requires solar providers to emphasise reliability and offer attractive, affordable solutions like battery storage. The cost of lithium batteries has been a barrier, but partnerships like ours with SLS Energy, focused on recycling and service-based offerings, aim to significantly reduce that. 

How are you leveraging technology to revolutionise the energy sector, and what role do you see for tech in the broader renewable energy landscape?

Ivan Asiimwe: While we're not using "robocops" to install solar, we are emphasising remote monitoring and control for all systems we build or maintain. This means clients will have performance data on their phones, receive error notifications via text or email, and potentially even see systems being troubleshot and debugged remotely. We envision a future phone app that empowers users to make informed decisions about appliance purchases and manage their energy usage more effectively.

On a practical level, we're focused on implementing smart devices like motion sensors and time switches to tackle everyday energy inefficiencies. Many households and businesses waste energy by leaving lights on unnecessarily. By automating these simple functions, we can significantly improve efficiency, especially for smaller systems where every watt-hour counts. This addresses the misconception that the market is small; there's a vast opportunity in optimising existing energy consumption.

From your experience, why do you think many energy startups fail in the African context?

Ivan Asiimwe: As I mentioned, the perception (and sometimes reality) that selling energy systems or kilowatt-hours alone isn't profitable is a major hurdle. Many startups enter the sector with a short-term vision, perhaps driven by a specific tender to distribute a fixed number of solar home systems, without a long-term strategy for sustained revenue and system functionality. They often focus solely on deployment, neglecting the crucial aspect of after-sales service and maintenance.

There's also  a tendency, perhaps more prevalent in the African context, to "milk the cow before it's time." This means founders or early employees start drawing significant personal income from the business before it has matured and built a stable financial base. This prevents crucial reinvestment and can kill the business before it has a chance to grow.