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Sunlabob took part in a teleconference hosted by UNEP Korea on 5 June 2009 |
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Tuesday, 30 June 2009 |
Sunlabob was asked to participate in an international teleconference entitled “GREENOVATION (Green Innovation)”, which was organised by the UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) National Committee for the Republic of Korea on Friday 5th June 2009 at Seoul COEX conference centre, to mark the World Environment Day.
Speakers made their presentations via tele-technology, allowing to get over the barriers of distance and helping to reduce carbon emissions produced by transportation. This conference was the first climate-neutral international teleconference open to the public in Seoul and was also broadcast in real time over the Internet.
The conference consisted of a Keynote speech and 4 sessions, as detailed below:
- Keynote speech – GREENOVATION & Green Growth: Greenovation in our Life
- Session 1 – Green Economy, generating power of GREENOVATION: Green Economy, Crisis and Opportunity in the 21st century
- Session 2 – Green IT, prerequisite for GREENOVATION
- Session 3 – GREENOVATION in our new environment, Green City: Sustainable urban development & Cases of urban GREENOVATION
- Session 4 – GREENOVATION & Green People: International Green Movement and Green people
Sunlabob’s presentation, by Simon Henschel (Project Manager), featured in the 4th session which focused on grass root campaigns and small businesses. Other speakers in this category included Wen Bo of China (Pacific Environment’s China Program Co-Director, World Economic Forum's Young Global Leader Honoree 2009) and Yun-seok Jo of Korea (PhD in engineering and famous Korean singer of Lucid Fall). A recording of the session can be watched here.
For more information about UNEP Korea: www.unep.or.kr
For more information about World Environment Day 2009: www.unep.org/wed/2009/english |
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Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE) Releases Policy Brief on Jatropha |
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Thursday, 18 June 2009 |
Sunlabob as the keyfounder of LIRE is proud to announce the release of a Policy Brief on Jatropha which presents latest findings of the Jatropha biofuel development in Lao PDR. Sunlabob supports LIRE´s activities in exploring the potential of biofuels and is looking forward for further results and recommendations. Biofuels can play important roles for electrification means (irrigation pumps, off-grid systems, etc.), however a viable commercial business model for the Lao PDR has still to be explored and developed. According to LIRE´s experience, one of the bottlenecks seems to be the proper energy crop selection and a cultivation practice which can be practiced in harmony with existing traditional cultivation methods. Sunlabob still considers biofuels as an interesting mean for providing electricity. However, further research is needed before an implementation can be considered. |
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Sunlabob and EDC organize workshop for local capacity building |
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Friday, 22 May 2009 |
Sunlabob is playing an active role in local capacity building as part of our social responsibility efforts. The workshop “Reporting Development Results (RDR) via Web 2.0” is organized by Sunlabob and Enterprise & Development Consultants Co., Ltd. (EDC). The workshop will be the first of its kind in Laos that will demonstrate the “state-of-the-art”, best practices and applications of the emerging field of reporting development results.
The workshop will take place on May 28 to 29, 2009 in the Sunlabob headquarters. For more information please visit the website of EDC Laos. |
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Sunlabob goes to Afghanistan |
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Friday, 08 May 2009 |
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Sunlabob was approached by USAID¹, ASMED², and DAI³ to carry out an assessment of the feasibility of the solar lamp project in Afghanistan, taking account of the local human, social and technical constraints. One of the aims was to evaluate whether the Sunlabob approach to financing and establishing franchised SME energy service hubs in small remote villages could be replicated in Afghanistan.
This first mission in Kabul lasted one week, from 25/04/09 to 03/05/09. Many potential contributors were met, from the business sector, the NGO sector, and the Afghan government, in order to identify opportunities for private-public partnerships and to link potential partners to business services. Two Kabul-based companies appeared extremely keen to implement the Sunlabob solar lantern solution.
Based on the meetings and observations made in the country, a business approach was designed and a 2-phase operational model was proposed (adapted from Sunlabob’s existing models in Laos and Uganda), with the aim of introducing the solar lanterns and making this a commercially-viable solution for Afghanistan, where access to electricity is among the lowest in the world.
Sunlabob is now looking forward to implementing the suggested model for the lamps, and to introducing additional renewable energy solutions in Afghanistan, such as village hybrid grids and solar water purification.
¹ USAID (United States Agency for International Development) provides US economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide. For more information about USAID, please visit the USAID website.
² ASMED (Afghanistan Small and Medium Enterprise Development) was implemented by USAID at the end of 2006. It is a 3-year development assistance program providing technical assistance and financial support to the SME sector throughout Afghanistan. For more information about ASMED, please visit ASMED website.
³ DAI (Development Alternatives, Inc.) is a global consulting firm that provides social and economic development solutions to business, government, and civil society in developing and transitioning countries. For more information about DAI, please visit the DAI website and the website of USAID's partners. |
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Energy Globe Award 2008 ceremony |
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Tuesday, 05 May 2009 |
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We are proud to release the pictures of the Energy Globe Award 2008 ceremony, which was held on 14 April 2009 in Prague, to honour project winners from around the world for their outstanding sustainable activities. A total of 769 projects from 111 nations were presented. For the second year in a row, Sunlabob was chosen by the International Jury as the national winner for Laos; this time with the project “Village based, solar powered water purification”, details of which can be found here.
The Energy Globe Award aims to highlight that the necessity to save energy, reduce CO2 emissions, and use our resources economically and sustainably is not a concern reserved to experts and industry, but that it should instead be established into public consciousness. The Award therefore serves as an incentive for implementing further projects related to environment, energy efficiency and climate protection.
A warm ‘thank you’ goes to Christina Ketter, a former Sunlabob intern, who kindly accepted the award on behalf of Sunlabob.
For information about the Energy Globe Award, please visit the Energy Globe Award website.
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Sunlabob becomes the distributor of ‘Premier Solar’ solar PV modules for South-East Asia |
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Thursday, 30 April 2009 |
Premier Solar is a leading solar PV module manufacturer based in India, specialising in the manufacturing of high performance solar panels mainly for off-grid applications. Sunlabob is delighted to announce a new partnership with Premier Solar, in reflection of our shared commitment to bringing cost-effective clean energy solutions to the off-grid market.
Premier Solar holds an ISO 9001 Certification (awarded by TÜV Germany), which guarantees excellent quality standards. In addition, Premier Solar concluded a long-term supply agreement in 2007 with one of the world’s foremost photovoltaic manufacturers, German industry leader SCHOTT Solar. This is a further guarantee of quality as SCHOTT products conform to IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards.
SCHOTT Solar supply Premier Solar with OEM thin film plates and crystalline cells, which Premier Solar converts into solar modules, which will then be incorporated into Sunlabob’s PV systems.
For more information about Premier Solar visit their website.
For more information about SCHOTT Solar visit their website.
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Solar water pumps installed in Attapeu Province (Southern Laos) in cooperation with IFAD |
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Friday, 24 April 2009 |
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The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is a specialised agency of the United Nations, dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. For this sixth collaboration with IFAD, Sunlabob installed 20 solar water pumps in the southern province of Attapeu, which borders Vietnam and Cambodia. With a static head (vertical distance the pump must lift the water) between 15 and 45 metres and a daily output of 50,000 litres, the solar water pumps will be benefiting local farmers, as the pumped water will be used for the irrigation of high-value cash crops.
For more information on the work of IFAD, please visit the following web pages:
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Solar Lamp Programme: Successful Pilot Test in Uganda |
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Thursday, 23 April 2009 |
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Sunlabob and its Ugandan franchise partner, TSSD, recently visited Ssazi village in Northern Uganda where Rose Nabatanzi Kiberu is the pilot village entrepreneur for our Solar Lantern Programme.
Ssazi village has no access to electricity and is not expected to be getting grid connection any time soon. For the last 3 months, Rose Nabatanzi Kiberu has been operating 24 prototype battery lanterns. A discussion about her experience so far highlighted strong potential for the operational roll-out of the programme in villages throughout Uganda.
During the pilot test, there were no technical problems or breakdowns, either with the charging station or the lanterns. Rose Nabatanzi Kiberu reported that the quality of light she now gets from the lantern is without comparison to that of the kerosene lamps she was using previously. Her husband added that “going back to kerosene lamps is like being blind in the dark”. For all villagers who took part in the pilot test, the worry about fire hazard has also disappeared.
All in all, the battery lanterns have proven to be very reliable and villagers in Ssazi have been requesting more lanterns.
Aside from very positive feedback, this pilot test in Uganda also highlighted areas which will require further work before full implementation, namely the following:
- finalise an operational model that would enable our Ugandan franchise partner and village entrepreneurs to deal with a very high level of demand, and
- consider the implications of assembling the lanterns in Uganda.
We will now be focussing our efforts on the above-mentioned matters in order to maximise the benefits that our solar rechargeable lamps bring to populations in off-grid areas, not only in Uganda, but also in those other developing countries with similar conditions.
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Sunlabob withdraws from Joint Venture in Cambodia |
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Wednesday, 22 April 2009 |
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Due to differences in strategic vision and soaring costs, Sunlabob has decided to terminate its joint venture partnership with Comin Khmere Energy Solutions in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The joint venture company, named Clean Energy Group (CEG), is now managed entirely by Comin Khmere. |
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Sunlabob joins the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) |
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Wednesday, 08 April 2009 |
ARE is an international not-for-profit organisation promoting renewable energy solutions for rural electrification in developing countries, for the benefit of its members and of the populations in need. Bringing together major stakeholders from the field of rural electrification, ARE acts as an advocacy group, promoting access to electricity services using renewable energies to international policy and decision makers. In addition to representing our views and our work, ARE also provides a platform for exchange of best practice, through regular working groups, and networking opportunities amongst like-minded professionals. At Sunlabob, we are proud to be joining the ARE community and we look forward to sharing our experience in rural electrification with other members. For further information about the activities of ARE, please visit their website at www.ruralelec.org |
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Sunlabob joins the Climate Neutral Network |
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Monday, 16 March 2009 |
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The Climate Neutral Network, supported by UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme), brings together companies, associations, cities, regions, and countries, who are all engaged in reducing their impact on the global environment.
Membership in the Climate Neutral Network highlights our commitment to lead the implementation of practices and strategies to cut down our greenhouse gas emissions and achieve climate neutrality.
The Climate Neutral Network also promotes green development and is a platform for exchange of best practice between participants.
Please visit the Sunlabob webpage on the Climate Neutral Network. |
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Finalist in the Asia Forum for Clean Energy Financing business competition |
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Wednesday, 04 March 2009 |
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Sunlabob participated as a finalist in the 1st Asia Forum for Clean Energy Financing, held in Singapore on 4 March 2009.
This forum gathered investors and financiers interested in the development of clean energy in ASEAN countries and served as a platform to explore business opportunities through presentations and discussions based on business proposals.
In total 11 projects from a wide range of clean energy specialities were selected as finalists and Sunlabob was the only participant with a development mandate.
We are very proud to announce that our business proposal for the battery lantern project was short-listed as one of the most promising clean energy investment opportunities in the ASEAN region.
More information: www.cleanenergy-financing.com |
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Inauguration Ceremony – Solar-powered water purification system |
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Friday, 27 February 2009 |
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Sunlabob is proud to announce that the first solar-powered water purification system in the Lao PDR is now operational in the village of Ban Sorg, Sangthong District, Vientiane Capital.
This project has been achieved with the collaboration of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Vientiane, the German NGO BORDA, Sunlabob Renewable Energy Ltd, OurWorld Rural Development (Laos), the Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE) and the village of Ban Sorg.
To celebrate this event, an inauguration ceremony was organised on Friday 27th February 2009, which provided a unique opportunity to learn about our solution by seeing the fully-functioning drinking water service in operation in the village.
Sunlabob has developed an innovative model to provide bottled drinking water in rural villages in Laos. Following an initial investment borne by a donor for the installation of a water purification unit and local capacity building, a village committee takes ownership of the service and is responsible for managing it. A village entrepreneur then rents the system from the village and is in charge of the daily operations and maintenance. Sunlabob takes care of the installation and servicing of the unit, and trains the village entrepreneur to operate the system.
Our model enables the creation of a small local enterprise, ensuring that the programme is self-sustainable, with all income generated being used to pay the village entrepreneur’s salary and maintenance costs, meaning the system will last for many years to come.
Further details about our concept are available in the concept paper entitled Sunlabob Drinking Water System.
This first experience has proved that Sunlabob is able to provide not only hardware and technical expertise, but also a complete concept in order to make drinking water in remote villages safe, easily accessible, reliable, sustainable, and affordable.
We now look forward to further collaboration with donors in order to give more villages access to potable water. Interested donors should contact us via
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Sunlabob Receives $100,000 UNEP Sasakawa Prize in Africa |
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Tuesday, 24 February 2009 |
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Sunlabob was one of 2 organisations awarded with a $100,000 USD cheque in Nairobi last week, from UNEP and supported by the Nippon Foundation. The award is in recognition of Sunlabob’s ground breaking efforts in ‘Moving towards a low carbon economy’ which was the theme of the World Environment Day 2008.
Sunlabob Director Andy Schroeter, who received the award, responded to the honour stating; “...this is a proud moment for Sunlabob, and for the renewable energy sector in Lao PDR. We have been working hard towards making renewable energy solutions affordable and appropriate for the rural setting not only in Lao PDR but for developing countries all over the world. This award is confirmation that we are on the right track, and will enable us to further develop existing technologies and explore new innovations.”
Commenting on the wider impact of this award, Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation and founder of the UNEP Sasakawa Prize said; “...I am convinced that the Sasakawa Prize, through the medium of the laureates and their powerful messages, has helped to persuade people to reconsider their lifestyles and realise the seriousness of the issue that we are facing. Seeing these changes steadily taking place, I feel very proud to know that the prize played an important role triggering them.”
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Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE) releases 2008 Annual Report |
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Wednesday, 04 February 2009 |
LIRE has just release their Annual Report for 2008 which showcases their latest developments, growth, research and findings. Sunlabob is a commercial partner to LIRE and was instrumental in its foundation in 2006 along with other educational institutions and corporate organisations. LIRE is a non-profit organisation dedicated to the sustainable development of a self sufficient renewable energy sector in the Lao PDR. The institute offers agronomical, technological and socioeconomic research services, and works to provide a free public resource of information and advice on the use of renewable energy technologies in Laos. LIRE strives to support the development of the country by exploring commercially viable means to establish renewable energy technologies in rural parts of the country, in areas without connection to the national grid and with little access to technical expertise. |
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German Ambassador hosts Sunlabob Seminar |
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Thursday, 22 January 2009 |
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On Wednesday 21st January 2009 at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane, the German Ambassador, Dr. Peter Wienand and the directors of Sunlabob Renewable Energy hosted a seminar titled New Strategies for Rural Electrification in the Lao PDR. This event brought together the leading authorities of renewable energy from the government, NGO’s and the private sector to discuss and explore viable options for the future of the industry here and abroad.
The event heard remarks from Dr. Maydom Chanthanasinh, Vice President of National Authority for Science and Technology. The directors of Sunlabob also gave presentations on the issues and opportunities faced for the development of renewable energy in Laos.
The highlight of the event was the launch of the documentary film "Power to the People", in which Sunlabob showcased new and innovative approaches to rural electrification. The film portrayed the opportunities created by such developments and the impact that it is having on the daily lives of people in rural Laos.
The event aimed to bring forward the reality of rural electrification for the purpose of reducing poverty, by increasing opportunities for income generation both in the Lao PDR and around the world.
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Sunlabob and Exotissimo bring the E-Cycle to Laos |
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Tuesday, 20 January 2009 |
Sunlabob recently supplied the travel company, Exotissimo in Luang Prabang, with 40 E-Cycles. Sunlabob’s E-Cycle looks and works exactly the same as a normal bicycle, except the E-Cycle has a high tech lightweight battery and running gear attached to the rear wheel, that can power the cycle up to speeds of 32km/h without any peddling assistance of the rider. The rider controls the speed of the E-Cycle with the throttle on the handlebar in the same fashion as a motorbike. Sunlabob’s E-Cycle can cover over 35kms without any peddling before having to be recharged. Charging the E-Cycle is easy and fast with the Li-ion battery only taking 4 hours to recharge by simply plugging the supplied cable into a normal wall socket. Exotissimo approached Sunlabob about the E-Cycle, for their range of pre-booked cycle tours that takes mainly tourists from Australia and Europe throughout the city and nearby region. The E-Cycle has proved to be real hit with the tourists as it is an easier option for long rides than a normal bicycle, as well as being a safer, cheaper and more eco friendly.
Sunlabob is planning on taking the E-Cycle and other innovative E-Auto vehicles to other areas of Laos and the SE Asia region, in an attempt to provide fun, safe, environmentally friendly and affordable alternatives to the petrol and diesel reliant options that are currently available.
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Engineers Without Borders UK collaborating with Sunlabob |
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Tuesday, 06 January 2009 |
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EWB-UK and Sunlabob have entered into a technical partnership that provides Sunlabob with the technical skills and knowledge of young enthusiastic engineers from Engineers Without Borders UK. The joint project between Sunlabob and EWB-UK, which is being overseen by the Lao Institute for Renewable Energy (LIRE), initially requested one volunteer to help with the testing, implementation and installation of a solar powered water purification system. The placement of the first 3 months volunteer has impressed Sunlabob so much, that we are already discussing collaboration with EWB-UK on future projects.
Dhruv Kumar, a EWB-UK volunteer says: “The interesting thing about Sunlabob is that they want to make these projects sustainable in an economic as well as environmental sense rather than implementing the technology and having to maintain it themselves”. |
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