Jesse Moore , a Machakos County -based firm, is selling solar-powered, flat-screen televisions to customers living in areas that are not connected to the grid. The televisions come in a kit containing solar panels and portable batteries that can also run a lighting unit and charge mobile phones. The battery has a life of the current four hours when used for lighting and TV simultaneously. The solar kits – which cost $ 530 , paid in small instalments – also have the advantage of replacing generators, which can be noisy, smoky, and expensive. M-KOPA has sold two TV sets so far.
M-KOPA Solar, a Nairobi-based firm, is selling solar-powered, flat-screen televisions to customers living in areas that are not connected to the grid. The televisions come in a kit containing solar panels and portable batteries that can also run a lighting unit and charge mobile phones. The battery has a life of four hours when used for lighting and TV simultaneously. The solar kits – which cost $530, paid in small instalments – also have the advantage of replacing generators, which can be noisy, smoky, and expensive. M-KOPA has sold 6,000 TV sets so far.