Ghana’s Minister of Power, Dr. Kwabena Donkor, formally launched PayGo home solar power in the Assin district of Central region. The rollout of PayGo started with households in the area of Assin Sienchem. The first phase of the program will deliver power to over 100,000 households with particular focus on cocoa growing regions in Central, before being launched more widely.
PayGo, designed by UK-based Azuri Technologies, is provided in Ghana by Oasis Africa Resources Limited. It combines four LED lights with mobile phone charging, a torch and a rechargeable radio. The system is powered by a 10-watt solar panel, and efficient power consumption allows for all four lights to be used for eight hours a night.
This technology will be followed by larger systems in 2016 that offer additional capabilities including TV and devices for use in small businesses.
The consumer pays for it in monthly installments and is provided as a power service by Oasis.
Customers are supplied with a system, trained on how to use their energy efficiently and supported by telephone and home visits should any issues occur during their service period. Azuri PayGo incorporates market-leading features such as the HomeSmart power management system, which automatically optimizes the way power is used based on the customers’ needs. With the combination of leading technology and post-sale support services, users of Azuri PayGo have complete confidence in their investment.
The Azuri technology has been integrated with MTN Mobile Money to allow Oasis’ customers to make easy regular top-ups, either via their own Mobile Money accounts, or through a designated local agent.