Uganda’s Solar Sister, a female-empowered entrepreneurial program focusing on the distribution of solar energy in developing countries is set to receive $5 million from Palmetto, a platform technology company accelerating the national adoption of clean energy.
Announced in conjunction with the start of Climate Week, under it’s new “Get Solar, Give Solar”, Palmetto has pledged a $5 million, multi-year commitment to support Solar Sister’s growth and development.
The partnership with Solar Sister is just the start of Palmetto’s new give-back program, Get Solar, Give Solar which will be funded based on a percentage of Palmetto’s revenue to fund future philanthropic partnerships in the fight to reverse climate change.
According to Chris Kemper, Chairman, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Palmetto, “Solar Sister’s focus on bringing clean energy to last-mile communities in Africa is deeply aligned with our values – it is a true personification of what we at Palmetto are ultimately here to contribute. Together, we can bridge a growing clean energy resource gap by harnessing global technology to deliver locally-led solutions in the most overlooked and underserved communities.”
Though Palmetto is currently focused on driving that strategy in the United States, kemper says the new program reminds them and their customers of its broader global mission.
Palmetto’s new ‘Get Solar, Give Solar’ will focus on communities without stable, predictable and consistent access to energy for everyday needs. The program will be focused on providing underserved communities with access to solar energy systems and providing the lowest price in residential solar in the US.
With the cash, Solar Sister will over the next three years support over 10,000 women to reach 10 million people with access to clean energy. By offering women access to tools, training, and technology, Solar Sister Entrepreneurs can build their businesses, increase their income and build a last-mile distribution chain that will deliver clean energy for the years to come.
“Climate change and women’s economic inequality are the two most pressing issues of our day,” stated Katherine Lucey, Founder and CEO of Solar Sister. “Only by working together can we build resiliency, create opportunity, and deliver real hope for a brighter future for all. This commitment by Palmetto is a manifestation of this shared responsibility. Together, Solar Sister and Palmetto will lead the way in making lasting change in the lives of Solar Sister entrepreneurs, their families and their communities.”
In sub-Saharan Africa, over 600 million people have no access to electricity, and over 700 million individuals must rely on harmful cooking fuels like firewood and charcoal. In this environment, it is women who bear the overwhelming burden of energy poverty and who disproportionately shoulder the detrimental consequences of climate change. Linking over 6000 entrepreneurs, Solar Sister has reached more than two million individuals with affordable solar power, and has offset over 663,661 metric tons of CO2e.
