Nigerian startup Solstice Energy Solutions has been emerged winner of the 2017 Berkeley Cleantech University Prize (CUP), receiving US$50,000 in prize money.
The startup’s winning came after a live pitch competition at the Berkeley Energy and Resources Collaborative (BERC) Innovation Expo.
Solstice Energy Solutions uses the Internet of Things (IoT) to help African homes and small businesses manage energy in a simple manner using efficient and clean cost saving solutions.
By relying on data-driven approaches and integrated technology, it helps to solve energy challenges for homeowners and small businesses that rely on both grid and distributed energy sources.
Their product, the Shyft combines the functionality of a smart transfer switch and energy meter to allow seamless shifting between energy sources, enabling better efficiency and simple energy management.
Solstice will now go on to compete for the US Department of Energy’s National Cleantech University Prize
The Berkeley CUP is annual competition which is a collaboration between the Berkeley Energy and Climate Institute (BECI) and BERC, and part of a US$2.5 million programme funded by the Department of Energy’s Technology to Market Program.