Barefoot Power

Founded in 2005, Barefoot Power focuses on delivery of clean energy services to the poor in the form of solar power electricity. One of the earliest developers of affordable LED lamps and solar panels, the organization aims to bring the worlds of micro-finance and energy together to bring lighting to rural communities in Africa, Asia-Pacific and more recently, the Americas, reaching out to up to forty countries worldwide. Barefoot Power is focused on scaling up production and replicating their successful LED lighting model in more villages that currently lack access to electricity. The organization is committed to helping the poorest two billion people find a clean, efficient, practical and environmentally sustainable pathway to energy.

Barefoot Power supplies the lamp components, and trains entrepreneurs and supply chain partners (including importers, distributors, static retailers, mobile entrepreneurs and micro-finance organizations) on the use and impact of the lamps and also on ways to reach the communities most in need. Currently, Barefoot Power employs forty staff and ships to 10,000 households per month globally.

Barefoot Power believes that access to affordable electricity is a necessary element for the elimination of poverty and reaching the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The purchase of an LED light is a one time fixed cost for villagers and contributes to significant savings, compared to that of kerosene lighting. LED lamps powered by solar panels generate lighting that is cleaner, safer and contributes to a healthier environment in the home.  In addition, the light from solar means can be used for a longer period of time.

Barefoot Power’s products have undergone vigorous independent field tests and have been recognized by groups like The Lumina Project (U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory) as striking a balance between good quality and cost benefit. Recently, Barefoot Power was presented with awards from the Lighting Africa Program, hosted by the World Bank and the IFC. Its products won first place in the categories of top performance, room lighting and best value for products that cost under $40, and came in second in the category of task lighting. Such accolades reflect its achievements in developing safe and cost-effective off-grid lighting technology to communities in need.

 The enterprise also has a range of volunteers and consultants that assist with market material development, translation, local market knowledge, sharing of infrastructure, access to finance and many other useful services. Recently, Okiocredit, the leading microfinance organization, has become an investor and partner in Barefoot Power.