Start Up Tech Sales In Siem Reap, Cambodia

Families living in Prasat Bakong and Pouk districts in Siem Reap, Cambodia, spend a lot of time collecting firewood for their traditional cookstoves. Each family spends about eight hours a week collecting fuelwood from nearby forest or fields. Those who don’t live near the forest spend around US$12/month to buy firewood. Firewood collection is threatening the forest and wildlife.

Almost half of the population in rural areas of Cambodia have limited access to electricity. Kerosene lanterns and battery boxes are commonly used, but kerosene lanterns produce dim light and battery boxes need to be charged, which involves taking them to a recharging station and paying a fee.

By introducing d.light S300 solar lights to these communities, children can use them for reading at night, while parents can use them to work in the evening, for example to make handicrafts.

The d.light D20 solar home system is an affordable alternative to the battery box. A solar panel costs less and lasts much longer than a battery box, and will also save money on recharging.

A biomass cookstove can save up to 60% of fuelwood compared to traditional cookstoves. The time usually spent on collecting fuelwood and lighting fires can then be spent other income-generating activities or education, and otherwise improving the families' livelihood.

CTO made the products available to customers through community meetings. They offered a payment plan where customers could pay over three instalments over a period of six months. They later extended the period to eight months as the farmers were slow to make their payments.

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