News

Sunlabob CEO presents at Myanmar rural electrification policy forum

Apr 05, 2013

Discussion highlights Sunlabob’s experience developing mini-grids in off-grid, rural areas and applications for Myanmar

Andy Schroeter, CEO of Sunlabob, this week spoke at a high-level rural electrification workshop focused on best practices and policy recommendations for the development of rural energy in Myanmar.

Hosted jointly by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the ASEAN Centre for Energy, the forum gathered energy and international development experts from the private and public sectors to identify policy, business and technology approaches that have been most effective in the ASEAN region and how those elements can be applied to Myanmar, a country where only 25 percent of residents have access to electricity.

“Myanmar can benefit from the lessons learned from approaches of rural electrification taken in recent years by its neighboring countries,” said Schroeter who holds more than 15 years of experience with rural energy in the developing world. “As is the case with Laos, Myanmar...

Sunlabob CEO joins in signing of ‘Freiburg Call to Action’ at 2nd International Convention of Environmental Laureates

Mar 13, 2013

Andy Schroeter, co-founder and CEO of Sunlabob, participated this week in the 2nd International Convention of Environmental Laureates held in Freiburg, Germany.

Organized by the European Environment Foundation, the convention gathered more than 80 environmental thought leaders, business executives and academics from 45 nations to discuss new paths and approaches to climate protection, energy efficiency and sustainable and energy efficient products and technologies.

Opinion: Off-grid electrification - a key to Myanmar’s promising growth

Mar 04, 2013

By Andy Schroeter, Co-founder & CEO, Sunlabob Renewable Energy, Ltd.

Throughout his promotion of the United Nation’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said several times that “energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, social equity and environmental sustainability.”

The sentiments of the secretary-general’s declaration are particularly fitting for the development of Myanmar, Asia’s most talked-about, exciting new market. Given its political and economic reforms, this country of more than 60 million people is poised for substantial progress in the coming years – but not without a major increase in its electrification rate.

Nam Theun 2 Power Company turns to Sunlabob for power back-up of rural telecommunications station

Mar 01, 2013

Sunlabob engineers recently completed the supply, installation and commissioning of an AC mains battery charger and controller system at an optical repeater station of the Nam Theun 2 Hydropower Project in Savannakhet province in southern Laos. The installation will provide 5.4kW of back-up energy capacity for the solar-powered telecommunications equipment, particularly in times of low solar energy availability at the station.

Nam Theun 2, located on the Nam Theun River, is the largest hydropower dam to-date in Laos, enabling the country to export 995 MW of electricity to Thailand, while also supplying 75 MW of electricity capacity domestically.

Sunlabob CEO speaks at UN “Expert Group Meeting” to discuss improving affordability of Asia-Pacific region’s sustainable energy options

Feb 22, 2013

Andy Schroeter, co-founder and CEO of Sunlabob, this week participated in an Expert Group Meeting hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) to help identify and adapt successful models for increasing the affordability of sustainable energy and alternate housing materials in the Asia-Pacific region. Schroeter joined other energy and international development experts from the private and public sectors and academic community to discuss which policy, business and technology approaches have been most effective and can be replicated elsewhere throughout the region.

Lao-German cooperation to launch solar-powered Environmental Education Bus

Feb 19, 2013

Sunlabob partners with Lao PDR and German governments to increase environment, climate change and biodiversity education

Sunlabob Renewable Energy, a Laos-based social enterprise specializing in off-grid renewable energy and clean water access, announced its partnership with Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the German development agency and the Government of Lao PDR to build and deploy an education-focused bus featuring solar power. The bus will be used throughout Lao as a tool to increase knowledge about environmental protection, biodiversity and climate change.

The Lao-German cooperation project Promotion of Climate-related Environmental Education (ProCEEd), will tour the Environmental Education Bus through rural Lao provinces to conduct education and awareness sessions. The bus, featuring 1.45 kW of roof-mounted solar panels, will include a 32” television inside and a 4.3m (diagonal) projection screen on the outside of the bus to be used for displaying educational films and materials during community presentations.

Sunlabob to electrify Sierra Leone with 13 off-grid solar PV projects

Feb 08, 2013

In partnership with UNIDO, Sunlabob enables economic and social development with solar PV electrification of growth centers, universities and training facilities

Sunlabob today announced it has been awarded two contracts for the design, supply, installation and local training for 13 turn-key solar PV power plants in off-grid areas of Sierra Leone. The installations – funded by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) – will enable a reliable electricity supply in universities, training facilities and community centers to facilitate local enterprise development through a variety of uses, ranging from agricultural and industrial training to improved internet access.

“Providing off-grid areas with renewable energy not only enables dependable and affordable electricity, but also opens the door to positive, long-term social and economic development,” said Andy Schroeter, founder and CEO, Sunlabob. “The efforts from UNIDO to electrify through decentralized solar PV are a prime example of how public-private partnerships of this nature squarely address...

Solar energy partnership enables livestock vaccine storage in rural Laos

Feb 05, 2013

Sunlabob partners with Asian Development Bank to deliver eight solar-powered cooling systems, benefitting 4,000 villagers across three Lao provinces

Sunlabob Renewable Energy, a social enterprise specializing in renewable energy and clean water access projects in developing regions of the world, today announced the launch of a partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Laos to supply, install and provide community training for eight solar-powered refrigeration systems that will be used to safely store livestock vaccines and medical equipment in rural villages of Laos.

The eight solar-powered cooling sets – each of which includes one refrigerator and one freezer – will be provided to villages in the Sekong, Savanakhet and Salavanh provinces of southern Laos. Overall, the improved access to refrigeration will benefit up to 4,000 people.

Sunlabob joins international sustainable development and aid forum

Feb 04, 2013

Sunlabob underscores central role of private sector in rural energy and clean water access

Sunlabob recently joined senior experts in the international relief and development sector at the Aid & International Development Forum in Bangkok, Thailand to discuss pathways for cross-Asia collaboration, share best practices and showcase technologies contributing to long-term sustainable development and disaster preparedness.

Alongside more than 1,000 attendees representing governments, aid agencies, NGOs and businesses, Sunlabob focused its discussions on the vital role of community-based off-grid renewable energy and clean water solutions within humanitarian aid and long-term rural development programs.

“Enabling access to energy is a central piece to rural development as well as in humanitarian aid situations,” said Andy Schroeter, Sunlabob Renewable Energy co-founder and CEO. “Rural electrification can only be sustainable – socially and economically – if members of the community are involved and empowered from the beginning.”

Investment experts recognize Sunlabob as high impact enterprise

Jan 29, 2013

Accolade from investment and CSR experts reinforces company’s position as high impact growth-stage social enterprise

Sunlabob recently was recognized by the Make a Difference (MaD) Ventures Fellows program in Hong Kong for its innovative, high-impact business-based approach to sustainable development solutions. As a growth-stage social enterprise, Sunlabob joined 30 socially and environmentally impactful enterprises from around the world that are seeking potential investors and business partners to aid in the scale-up of their innovative socially-based businesses.

“As a socially-driven, commercially-rooted enterprise that delivers renewable energy and clean water to many of the poorest regions of the world, Sunlabob views the socially-responsible, impact investor community as an important contributor to our continued growth and increased global reach,” said Andy Schroeter, Sunlabob Renewable Energy co-founder and CEO.

Partnership with Korea Green Foundation brings solar lanterns to Lao village

Dec 31, 2012

Sunlabob teams with Korea Green Foundation and Lao Institute for Renewable Energy to deliver self-sustaining Solar Lantern Rental System to remote Laos

Partnering with the Korea Green Foundation and the Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE), Sunlabob recently completed the installation of a Solar Lantern Rental System (SLRS) in Ban Thongkatai, a remote village of 15 households in the Salavan Province of southern Laos. The community is not connected to the national electric grid meaning that most of the 120 villagers previously relied on burning wood as their primary source of lighting. The 12-lantern rental system will provide an affordable, reliable, healthy and convenient alternative to collecting and burning firewood.

Opinion: Addressing the Water-Energy-Poverty Nexus

Dec 31, 2012

Much of today’s conversation addressing the increasingly important connection between water and energy is often focused on solutions applicable to urban centers and developed nations. Yes, smart water grids will be important. Yes, implementing public policies encouraging energy and water conservation can play a key role.

But what about in the developing world, when the energy-water nexus debate isn’t about reducing demand – but instead about enabling supply?

It is well known that more than 1.2 billion people in today’s world still live without access to electricity. And most people wouldn’t be surprised to hear that nearly 800 million people don’t have access to a clean water source. But how often do we connect these two facts to realize that the vast majority of people living without electricity also are the same people struggling to survive without a regular supply of clean water? Unfortunately a lack of access to electricity and clean...

Sunlabob expands Pacific Islands presence with 3500 solar lanterns and membership to SEIAPI

Dec 26, 2012

To complement its existing projects and partnerships in the Pacific Islands, Sunlabob recently accepted membership to the Sustainable Energy Industry Association of the Pacific Islands (SEIAPI), the industry body focused on scaling up awareness, research and adoption of renewable energy in the region.

Sunlabob is currently working with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) to supply 3500 solar-powered lanterns and 70 lantern charging stations in Micronesia. The solar charging stations, which were designed by Sunlabob’s engineers, will be used in schools and community centers throughout multiple Micronesian villages to provide lighting for better education opportunities, community building activities and economic development.

Sunlabob CEO shares insight about supporting “inclusive business” in developing regions

Dec 21, 2012

United Nations forum in South Korea discusses the critical role of business in global development and poverty reduction

Andy Schroeter, co-founder and CEO of Sunlabob Renewable Energy, this week presented at the United Nations Development Programme and The Global Compact’s “Workshop on Inclusive Business Development” in Seoul, South Korea to discuss the best strategies for catalyzing the growth of “inclusive businesses” – commercially-viable business models that benefit low-income communities by including them in a company’s value chain.

Schroeter, an experienced entrepreneur specializing in creating models for village energy enterprises, spoke about the lessons learned in rural electrification since Sunlabob’s founding in 2001, as well as best practices and mechanisms for supporting the inclusive business ecosystem in Korea and internationally.

“With the rise of innovative entrepreneurs throughout the developing world, now is the time to increase pro-poor public-private partnerships,” said Schroeter. “Combining the skills and experience of the private sector with the resources of...

Sunlabob enables energy access in Marshall Islands with 1500 Solar Home Systems

Dec 13, 2012

Sunlabob partners with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community to deliver solar energy to 1500 households

Sunlabob recently completed a project in partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community to provide solar-powered electricity to 1,500 households in outer atolls of the Republic of the Marshall Islands.

Sunlabob supplied and delivered the solar technology, as well as provided community-level training and manuals for the 1,500 Solar Home Systems (SHS), enabling reliable, clean energy access to several remote islands. The project was an integral piece to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community’s Outer Islands Electrification Programme, an initiative designed to reduce high reliance of imported fossil fuels for electricity generation. In recent years, with the rise of global oil prices, the Marshall Islands government has spent up to 20 percent of the national budget on fuel, creating an urgency to increase renewable sources of energy.

Sunlabob expands renewable energy footprint in Laos

Dec 12, 2012

Sunlabob partners with Fondation Energies pour le Monde to deliver electricity to 82 remote households outside Luang Prabang

Sunlabob recently launched a project funded by Fondation Energies pour le Monde to provide access to electricity to 82 households in a remote village in Luang Prabang province with narrow job opportunities, very limited education and health services and little to no outlook to receive electricity from the national grid.

Sunlabob is supplying, designing, installing and providing community training for a 6.5 kWp solar-powered village mini-grid with emergency diesel generator to enable reliable energy access to Ban Houaypha, a remote village of Phonxay district.

Sunlabob deepens Africa footprint with completion of off-grid solar projects in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Mozambique

Dec 07, 2012

Partnering with UNIDO, Sunlabob employs solar PV systems to enable development of entrepreneurship, agriculture and communications capabilities in rural areas.

After being awarded three contracts in early 2012 by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for turn-key solar power projects in off-grid communities in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Mozambique, Sunlabob has concluded the equipment installation process and hands-on training with local community members. The ten projects in total are enabling a reliable electricity supply for a variety of uses, ranging from agricultural entrepreneurship to more robust internet and radio communications.

“The wide-ranging benefits of reliable, clean energy in these off-grid communities are undeniable,” said Andy Schroeter, founder and CEO, Sunlabob. “Rural electrification is opening new doors to improved local economies, better healthcare and greater education opportunities, largely in thanks to UNIDO and other public-private partnerships of this nature.”

Sunlabob CEO to engage in Asian Development Bank dialogue about creating thriving ecosystem for inclusive businesses and impact investors

Nov 22, 2012

Andy Schroeter, co-founder and CEO of Sunlabob Renewable Energy, will participate in the Asian Development Bank’s “Investing in Inclusive Business in Asia” Regional Forum to discuss the best path for creating a thriving ecosystem that unites innovative entrepreneurs and businesses with impact investors from the private sector. He will join 150 other experts in Manila, Philippines on 28-29 November including others leaders from the private sector, fund managers and other impact investors, thought leaders from academia and civil society, as well as representatives of the international development community.

Sunlabob hires engineering and communication leaders

Nov 15, 2012

Sunlabob recently announced the hiring of two department leaders, signaling the company’s continued growth. Antony Watkins will be the Head of Engineering and Evan Scandling will act as Head of Communications.

“The level of industry expertise and amount of international experience that Antony and Evan bring to the table are a strong demonstration of Sunlabob’s upward trajectory as a premier provider of renewable energy and clean water solutions in developing areas of the world,” said Andy Schroeter, Sunlabob founder and CEO.

Watkins, who specializes in renewable energy and earth sciences, was most recently a researcher for the Challenge Grant on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) focused on the water-energy nexus of the Mekong River region. Previously, he implemented an energy management program that included renewable energies and grid-tied solar power for large medical facilities in the United States. Watkins has also worked as a senior engineer in the oil and gas exploration industry...

Sunlabob energy efficiency expertise proving valuable throughout Southeast Asia

Oct 30, 2012

Sunlabob’s recent in-depth energy audit at the Champasak Grand Hotel in Pakse, Laos – which identified energy usage reductions of 30% – demonstrated the increasing significance of energy efficiency services in developing regions of Asia.

Sunlabob’s evaluation of the 12-storey, 225-room hotel’s electricity and water use determined that through a combination of operational adjustments and efficient technologies, more than $126,000 USD could be saved in utility payments every year. Further, the financial analysis determined that a payback period for the updated technologies and new programs would be less than 10 months. Even greater energy and cost savings are anticipated as recently-announced national electricity tariffs in Laos continue to increase on a regular basis.

“Awareness of energy efficiency is still in its early stages, but business owners and facility managers in Laos and throughout the Southeast Asia region are quickly realizing the cost-saving benefits of new practices and efficient technologies,” said Andy Schroeter,...

Sunlabob founder recognized as ENERGY GLOBE Ambassador

Oct 29, 2012

Andy Schroeter, founder and CEO of Sunlabob, has been selected as the ‘ENERGY GLOBE Ambassador’ for Laos, joining representatives from more than 100 nations around the world to promote environmental sustainability and catalyze the development of projects protecting the environment or employing renewable energy.

“It is an honor to be recognized alongside so many innovative thinkers and ambitious leaders that are working to advance clean energy and sustainability in every corner of the globe,” said Mr. Schroeter. “The socially-minded, business-driven entrepreneurship of Sunlabob and these many other Ambassadors are the driving force for sustainable economic development and meeting the world’s social and environmental challenges."

The ENERGY GLOBE Foundation is an international non-profit that is best known for its annual ENERGY GLOBE Awards that recognize the best projects from around the world that focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy and environmental conservation. Since its founding in 1999, more than 6,000 projects from more...

Sunlabob makes first venture into India with solar-powered water purification installation

Oct 03, 2012

Acting as technology consultant and provider, Sunlabob collaborates with India-based partners to enable fresh drinking water in New Delhi public school.

Sunlabob, a Laos-based company specializing in renewable energy and clean water projects in developing areas of the world, recently concluded its first project in India through the installation of a solar-powered water purification system at a public school in Surajmal Vihar, an underprivileged suburb of East New Delhi. In collaboration with the New Delhi government and two India-based partners – local non-profit Social Awareness Newer Alternatives (SANA), and project developer Green & Blue Renewable Energy – Sunlabob provided the technology and training to enable the daily production of 5000 liters of clean drinking water for the 800 students and faculty of the Rajkiya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya (RPVV) school.

Sunlabob attends largest solar exhibition in the world

Sep 18, 2012

Sunlabob CEO Andy Schroeter, Head of Project Management Meera Ajmera and Head of Sales Andrea Buetler recently headed to Munich, Germany to attend Intersolar Europe, the largest solar exhibition and conference in the world, held from June 13-15 2012.

They joined approximately 70,000 visitors and 2,000 exhibitors from all over the world to experience three days of innovation, vision and insightful lectures.

Sunlabob CEO Andy Schroeter had the honour of being invited by The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) to give a presentation at the event and thus shared his expert opinion about rural electrification potential in South East Asia.

Lao hospitals to profit from hygiene project between Sunlabob and Ministry of Health

Sep 07, 2012

Public health services in Laos are, despite years of development aid, still below international standards. Investments in public sectors are low and limited resources from the government make improvements slow.

Sunlabob, together with Technologie Transfer Marburg (TTM), installed several autoclaves in four remote provinces of Laos (Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Champasack and Savannakhet) and three at the largest hospitals located in the capital, Vientiane.

Continued success in energy audits: One of Lao’s largest salt factories is becoming more efficient in energy consumption

Sep 04, 2012

In June 2012, a Sunlabob team conducted an energy-audit aiming to analyze the main energy consumption of Veunkham Salt Co., one of the biggest salt producers in Laos and member of the Lao Salts Producer Group.

In order to identify potential energy savings, the energy audit team focused on the salt fabrication facility, electrical equipment and operation staff behaviors.

The main devices of interest were all those that consume the most energy.

Especially the coal and sawdust fueled salt boilers that currently work very inefficient were eye-catching to the team of engineers.

Sunlabob shares best practices at The Asia Clean Energy Forum

Aug 01, 2012

Sunlabob COO Simon Henschel recently attended The Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2012, themed “Accelerating Low-Carbon Energy For All,” held in Manila, the Philippines from 6-8 June.

The 7th ACEF hosted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), provided an excellent opportunity for clean energy stakeholders to discuss about energy access, technology, finance and policy related issues.

Over 800 participants from 55 countries, representing governments, financial institutions, civil society, academia, international organizations and the private sector gathered in plenaries, parallel sessions, and side events.

Sunlabob installs fridge systems in remote Laos

Jul 23, 2012

Sunlabob has once again been awarded a national tender for rural Laos, this time for an Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded project to improve access to basic health services for people and animals in remote areas in Laos; the project is managed by the Ministry of Agriculture and locally by the Ministry of Health.

Powered by photovoltaic systems, each of the 44 vaccine systems comprises a high European quality refrigerator/freezer. Sunlabob Engineering has implemented complete installation works in 5 Southern Laos provinces: Savannakhet, Champasak, Salavan, Sekong and Attapeu, namely.