Bitlumens is not just an idea, we will have 100 solar devices deployed by the end of April 2018
Kerosene and biomass powered wick lamps are far less efficient than solar powered LED lanterns. Kerosene used in wick lamps is a toxic and inefficient fuel. Kerosene wick lamps provide 1 to 6 lumens per square meter. By comparison, LED has higher efficiency — measured in lumens per watts- quality and quantity of lighting when compared to kerosene lamps. The use of LED lanterns entails reductions in greenhouse emissions and operating costs. Bitlumens brings renewable and more efficient technologies in rural areas where women farmers are used to pay for wood, plastic, candles and kerosene.
By generating renewable power from the sun, Bitlumens aims at offering reliable energy services and reducing greenhouse gas emissions in a cost competitive manner. Some companies use “pay as you go systems” to provide access to credit for people who do not have access to a bank account. Our solution provides ownership of the technology after all installments are paid. Bitlumens provides a solution to support villagers gaining access to IDs, micro-credits, electricity by using solar panels and the blockchain. Combining clean tech, fintech, the blockchain and cloud computing, Bitlumens offers a software as a service (SaaS) where women living in rural villages and in need of power can get access to Sun Home Systems (SHS). The latter are user-friendly, eco-friendly, and smart internet of things (IoT) devices that bringpower to the unbanked in places without power grid. In short, our platform gives kerosene, wood or plastic-dependent households immediate access to cleaner, safer, and affordable energy.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, 121 million people live in rural areas, who represent approximately 20% of the total regional population. 59 million are women, 48 % of the total rural population. We focus on women farmers because data shows that they pay back micro-credits.
The study “Women of cotton” identified several factors of inequality in the value chains of this crop in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Paraguay and Peru, such as limited access to credits and financial support schemes, lack of control over profits, and their low power of decision with regard to productive assets. At Bitlumens, we believe that by giving women control over the credit we will achieve lower default rates. Theywill also be able to get a credit score defined by data gathered at the beginning of the credit relationship and through transactional data.
You can watch our pilot in Guatemala here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zY6FK_4HA3A
Our investors will visualize in our mobile and web App the location of the hardware, the amount of power produced and the credit score of the borrowers. Our platform contributes to the UN SDGs, in particular to Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Good Health and Well-being, Gender Equality and Climate Action.
