The Sustainability Institute Innovation Lab (SIIL)
The Pitch
To address long wait times for government expansion of the electricity grid, the Sustainability Institute Innovation Lab (SIIL) designed iShack: a solar-powered unit that provides electricity to residents of informal settlements.
The Problem
Residents of informal settlements in the Western Cape lacked access to electricity. In South Africa, electrification standards are very high, and these expectations create an all-or-nothing service jam. Service delivery depends on grid arrival, which can take decades. Any impediments to bringing the grid to informal settlements may take years to resolve.
The Process
- Uses solar energy to generate electricity in informal settlements
- Structured iShack to be cost-efficient and self-sufficient without generating profit that might attract extractive shareholders
The Impact
- Provided electricity to 5,000 residents allowing them to have power for media, phone charging, refrigeration and lighting
- Initiated the electrification of informal settlements and set the groundwork for further development
- Prevents corruption and cost hikes by utilizing a self-sufficient model that does not create profit
