First Solar-Backed Off-Grid Innovator to Capitalize on Kenya Experience

With financial and technical backing from First Solar, Inc. (NYSE: FSLR), a leading global provider of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions, Powerhive pioneered the delivery of locally generated energy in Kenya’s Kisii province, where over 90% percent of the population does not have access to electricity.

With plans to expand its coverage to over 200,000 households in Kenya, Powerhive leveraged the pilot projects to test and refine its range of innovative solutions, designed to enable microgrid deployments in rural regions. Through the pilot program, First Solar’s advanced module technology was deployed with Powerhive’s innovative metering and control platform, and its customers are currently able to pre-purchase electricity for commercial and residential use through mobile banking services.

“Powerhive’s technology and data-driven approach to microgrid development and operations will enable the formation of a new asset class. It will enable us to cost-effectively reach tens of millions of people in rural villages unserved by grids while offering strong risk-weighted returns to investors,” said Powerhive CEO Christopher Hornor. “We have uniquely combined the most cost efficient methods for billing, operations, customer service, and development at scale while respecting the local customs within the areas where we operate.”

First Solar’s backing of Powerhive is a major validation of the Berkley-based company’s technology, allowing it to prove its rural electrification solutions at commercial scale. As part of its effort to enable Powerhive’s commercial strategy, First Solar made an investment of undisclosed value in 2013 and continues to contribute its expertise in scaling deployment, technology, and commercial development. Marc van Gerven, First Solar’s Vice President for Global Marketing, also serves on Powerhive’s Board of Directors.

“Our support of Powerhive stems from a belief that we need to transform the world from being energy supply-driven to being demand-driven. In other words, energy generation and delivery needs to be optimized to ensure that electricity is available when it is needed and where it is needed; this is the driving principle behind our focus on Local Energy,” van Gerven said. “With its innovative technology, Powerhive forms an important part of the Local Energy value chain – the metering and control of locally generated electricity - allowing us to move closer to our objective of delivering affordable, locally-generated energy on demand.”

Powerhive has developed a series of innovations designed to enable microgrid deployments in rural regions. Its portfolio includes the Honeycomb cloud-based remote monitoring and control platform, the Asali smart meter and the Site Wizard for Analysis, Reconnaissance, and Mapping (SWARM) project development tool.

Four pilot deployments have been operational for over two years, constituting a total generation capacity of 80kW and serving four rural villages, benefitting over 1500 people, ranging from residential users to small businesses deploying a range of services that were previously unavailable such as maize milling, welding, incubating chickens, and hair salons.