Solar Sister
Model & Strategy
Solar Sister is a green energy revolution powered by women’s enterprise. Providing a grassroots solution to a global energy crisis, Solar Sister combines the breakthrough potential of clean energy technology with a deliberately women-centered direct sales network. Working in rural Africa, Solar Sister recruits, trains and supports women to become Solar Sister Entrepreneurs. The women build sustainable businesses selling solar lamps, mobile phone chargers and fuel efficient cook stoves. Using their natural networks of family, friends and neighbors to provide the most effective distribution channel to rural and hard to reach customers the women earn much needed income to support their families and provide a vital service to their communities. Access to clean energy and simple light has profound benefits including improved education, health and economic outcomes.
Katherine Lucey, founder and CEO of Solar Sister, brings 20 years investment banking and non-profit leadership experience to her role as social entrepreneur. She is an Ashoka East Africa Fellow and a winner of Social Venture Network 2011 Innovation Award and a Global Social Benefit Incubator Fellow for 2011 at the Santa Clara University Center for Science and Technology. Katherine currently serves on the UN Foundation initiative the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves and is a co-chair of the Supply Chain and Entrepreneurship Committee of the Sustainable Energy for All Practitioner Network.
IMPACT
Solar Sister has built a network of more than 4,500 women entrepreneurs who earn income while bringing access to clean energy technologies to more than 1.5M people in Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda.
In the long term, Solar Sister provides livelihoods and energy access in rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa – breaking the cycle of poverty by creating economic opportunities for women entrepreneurs and access to energy for the women, their families, and their off-grid communities.
Solar Sister News
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RT @KatherineHLucey: I spy @Olasimbo Sojinrin of @Solar_Sister Nigeria telling it like it is! Calling for #genderequality #climatejustice a…
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RT @KatherineHLucey: Congratulations to the winners at the @AFSIA_Official Solar Awards 2022! @Solar_Sister was honored to be included as a…
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RT @KatherineHLucey: One of the most powerful insights from our work @Solar_Sister is that opening up economic opportunities for women and…
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The #GlobalGoals calls for fair, decent work and economic growth with #SDG8! Click👉🏽 https://t.co/ZenfhdNtHA to… https://t.co/QpnmzJTgqX
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🙏Thank you to our partner @EC_Consultants for the insightful and informative interview with @KatherineHLucey, CEO o… https://t.co/aKz7cothI1
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RT @KatherineHLucey: LISTEN: Unconventional pathways to science, with Dr. @KHayhoe by Agents of Change in Environmental Justice. She discu…
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RT @KatherineHLucey: Tell it @DamilolaSDG7!
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#SDG7 is about ensuring clean and affordable energy for all. Watch to learn how our Solar Sister entrepreneurs brin… https://t.co/WxkpKFRz7J
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💡Women are not destined to be victims. Across the globe, women play an essential role in tackling climate change, i… https://t.co/C0mu6PoiYg
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RT @KatherineHLucey: Love to see the feminist green revolution here in the US to match the work that we do at @Solar_Sister in sub-Saharan…
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RT @TaroWorksApp: Did you miss our 'Inventory Management with @Solar_Sister Webinar'? Watch the recording to learn the organization uses @…
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⚡As a Solar Sister Entrepreneur Carolina and her husband's life has changed. They have increased their livestock an… https://t.co/2Krj6gfCZ8
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'Ending all discrimination against women and girls is not only a basic human right, it’s crucial for a sustainable… https://t.co/fGp0WrgS5w
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RT @SDG2030: The warmest 7 years on record are the last 7 years 🌡️ 2021 was another dark red stripe. See the global temperatures from 185…
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RT @SNV_RE: 📢Starting at 11:30am! Come and visit the @Practitioners_ stand C20 and hear from our #energy expert at #EDD22 to learn more abo…
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The #GlobalGoals calls for universal quality education with #SDG4! Click👉🏽 https://t.co/ZenfhdNtHA to learn more… https://t.co/xu0Enls50K
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📱Are you looking for inspiration on how to manage your inventory at the last mile? Join our webinar to hear how… https://t.co/VdR3JsMtaa
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RT @SmilinThruLight: We at #STL believe that women are crucial in the fight against #EnergyPoverty Women have the wisdom & experience that…
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RT @ProjectDrawdown: Agroforestry, tree intercropping, clean energy and clean cooking not only reduce emissions but also boost livelihoods,…