Woman using BES's SOLIO charger.

Better Energy Systems (BES) develops and markets portable clean technology products under the brand “Solio” for the North American retail markets and for a mobile utility pilot in East Africa.  Solio’s are hand-held, universal hybrid solar chargers which can “plug into the sun” with built-in solar panels to charge mobile or portable electronic devises.  Solios can also be charged through an electronic wall outlet or USB plug. 

BES’s primary business for Solio is in the North American wholesale and retail markets and distributes through premium specialty outdoor adventure, electronics and mobile retailers such as Apple, Radio Shack, REI, Mountain Equipment Co-op, T Mobile and Sprint.  BES also sells Solio’s direct to customers through its online web store and Amazon.com

Although a it is a smaller part of the business, for two years Solio has run a successful pilot of “solar as a service” in East Africa in Kenya.  The Solio East Africa model empowers local energy entrepreneurs as “Solio Agents” to provide safe, affordable, pay-as-you-go power to households in rural Kenya.  The result is saving 30% on energy costs for clients and a reliable weekly cash flow business for Solio Agents.  The pilot has proved extremely successful and Solio Agents are seeing an over 90%+ renewal rate from their local-user clients.

Through this pilot, BES is having a tremendous social and environmental impact by providing safe and affordable power for cell phone charging, lighting and cooking.  Access to electricity in rural communities improves users’ lives by increasing their access to health care and business development through mobile devises, provides LED lighting allowing for more time after dark for studying and education and improves indoor air quality and reduces carbon emissions by replacing kerosene burning with solar charging.