Solar Power for Small Businesses in Emerging Markets

Cut Generator Costs. Keep Trading. Grow With Confidence.

Solar-powered retail shop supported by SolariHub

The Problem

Small Retailers Power the Economy. They Just Do It Without Power, Digital Tools, or Credit

Small retailers account for over 80% of retail sales across emerging markets, yet most operate without reliable electricity, digital infrastructure, or access to formal credit limiting a sector of enormous economic significance to a fraction of its true potential.

Source: IFC (2020); BCG (2022)

Unreliable Power
When Power Fails, Small Businesses Pay the Price

Relying on petrol generators means spending up to 40% of operating costs on fuel, losing revenue from spoiled goods, and dealing with unpredictable outages every single day.

Retail business affected by unreliable and costly power

Digital Exclusion
‍No Tools, No Data, No Visibility

Without digital tools, small retailers operate blind — no sales records, no inventory tracking, no way to prove their business performance to partners, banks, or suppliers.

Small retailer managing sales and operations manually

Financial Exclusion
‍Locked Out of Growth Capital

Without a credit history or formal business records, small retailers cannot access loans, trade credit, or investment — trapping them in a cycle of under-capitalisation and missed opportunity.

Small business owner facing limited access to finance

One Platform, Multiple Benefits

Millions of small retailers in emerging markets operate without reliable power, without digital tools, and without access to formal finance. SolariHub replaces the generator, digitises the shopfront, and builds a financial identity.

Diagram showing SolariHub energy, commerce, finance and impact services working together

SolariHub Platform Is The Difference

SolariHub brings reliable solar power, digital business tools and access to finance into one connected platform. Your energy use, sales and stock data help you run the shop more efficiently, understand performance and build the business record needed to access better supplier and financing opportunities.

Get Started

SolariHub digital platform for small retail businesses

One Platform, Five Pillars

Reliable, Clean Power

A silent solar system that replaces your generator and cuts energy costs by up to 40%. Monitored around the clock, maintained by our technicians, paid for monthly.

A Digital Shopfront

Accept mobile payments, track every sale, and manage inventory from your phone. Your business becomes visible to the formal economy for the first time.

Access to Growth Capital

Your transaction history builds a verified credit profile. Your business qualifies for formal loans and working capital from institutional lenders.

Direct Supplier Access

Order stock directly from wholesale suppliers and distributors through the platform. Lower procurement costs, reduce middlemen, and improve your margins.

Verified Climate Impact

Every kilowatt-hour of clean energy and every digital transaction generates verifiable impact data carbon reduction, financial inclusion, and job creation.

One Solution, Two Product Categories

Choose SolariLITE to upgrade an existing shop, or SolariPOD to launch a new solar-powered retail business. Both are designed around reliable power, simple operations and a clear path to growth.

SolariLITE

Replace your noisy, expensive generator with a silent, reliable solar power system tailored to your exact appliance load. Customised to your business requirements and installed by our certified technicians.

SolariPOD

A complete business-in-a-box. A fully integrated, solar-powered kiosk designed to get your new retail venture trading in days — not months.

How It Works

Survey & Assessment

Our field agent visits your shop, assesses your energy needs and appliance load, and recommends the right system.

Step 1: business site survey and power assessment

Custom Proposal

We prepare a tailored proposal showing your projected savings and the exact SolariLITE configuration or SolariPOD model for your needs.

Implement & Integrate

Our certified technicians handle the full installation — zero hassle, zero downtime for your business.

Step 3: professional solar system installation

Optimise & Scale

No CapEx investment, only flexible recurring payments providing access to 24/7 power, the business operation platform, access to finance and suppliers through our partners. Ongoing support from our team to help you grow your business.

Step 4: monitor, optimise and scale the business system

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore our FAQs to learn how SolariHub can help you grow your business.

Customer support representative working at a desk

Need more help?

Our team is here to support you.

Talk to an expert

What is SolariHub?

SolariHub is an integrated platform that brings clean solar energy, digital commerce tools, and access to growth capital together in one subscription for small retailers. It replaces the generator, digitises the shopfront, and builds a financial identity for businesses that have never had one

What is the difference between SolariLITE and SolariPOD

SolariLITE is designed for existing shop owners who want to replace their generator with a reliable solar power system. SolariPOD is a complete business-in-a-box — a solar-powered retail kiosk for entrepreneurs launching a new venture. Both include the platform and IoT gateway.

Is there an upfront cost?

SolariHub is designed to remove the barrier of upfront capital costs. SolariHub is offered on a Pay -As- You-Go basis without the burden of initial investment. Speak to our team to find the right plan for your situation.

How does the installation process work?

Our field agent visits your shop to assess your energy needs and appliance load. We then prepare a tailored proposal, and our certified technicians handle the full installation — zero hassle, zero downtime for your business.

Can I expand my system later?

Yes. Both SolariLite and SolariPOD are modular by design. You can upgrade your power capacity, add storage, or expand your system as your business grows — without replacing the entire installation.

Why should small businesses use SolariHub?

SolariHub is the convergence of multiple business needs into a single solution to support small businesses to grow their businesses
‍Renewable Energy – A solar power system that delivers steady, cost-effective electricity and tracks energy use in real time, designed for the unstable power supply in Nigeria.
A Digital Shopfront) – Accept mobile payments, track every sale, and manage inventory from your phone. Your business becomes visible to the formal economy for the first time.
Access to Growth Capital– Your transaction history builds a verified credit profile. Your business qualifies for formal loans and working capital from institutional lenders.
Direct Supplier Access – Order stock directly from wholesale suppliers and distributors through the platform. Lower procurement costs, reduce middlemen, and improve your margins
Verified Climate Impact – Every kilowatt-hour of clean energy and every digital transaction generates verifiable impact data carbon reduction, financial inclusion, and job creation.

How does SolariHub help businesses be more sustainable?

SolariHub supports sustainability by helping businesses run on solar power, reduce reliance on diesel, and lower emissions in a measurable way. Clean energy use and CO₂ reductions are tracked and verified, supporting recognised global initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and Goal 13 (Climate Action), while still delivering practical value for everyday business.

Where does SolariHub operate?

SolariHub is designed for small retailers in emerging markets. We are currently focused on high-growth markets and expanding our footprint. Contact us to find out if SolariHub is available in your area.

How does SolariHub help me access finance?

Every transaction you process and every kilowatt-hour you consume through the platform builds a verified digital profile for your business. This data can help qualify you for formal loans and working capital from institutional lending partners.

How can I partner with SolariHub?

SolariHub works with distributors, lenders, FMCG brands, impact investors, and development organisations. Our platform gives partners a direct, data-verified channel to small retailers across emerging markets. Whether you want to distribute through our network, extend credit to qualified retailers, or measure verified impact outcomes, we have a partnership model designed for you. Visit our About page or contact our partnerships team to start a conversation.

What happens after the system is paid off?

Once your solar power system is fully paid for, your business continues to benefit from steady, low-cost electricity. You keep using solar power without repayment deductions, reducing long-term energy costs and relying less on the unstable power supply in Nigeria. Support and system monitoring continue, so your business stays powered and protected as you grow.

Reliable Power, Digital Tools and Finance for Small Retailers