New Business Model
We were determined to offer a high quality product that met real needs. The harsh Himalayan environment necessitated superior quality materials. Unfortunately, this made affordability difficult for the families in greatest need of our technology.
At the same time, we received lots of interest in SolSource from the US, Europe, and Australia. These outpourings of interest signaled an untapped market demand for a clean, zero-emissions stoves worldwide.
We hoped that these developed markets could help offset the costs for fuel constrained communities. We launched a Kickstarter campaign to verify this demand. The campaign was hugely successful, reaching 331% of our campaign goal. It enabled us to ship economically and supply SolSource to new customers in 18 countries.
We are proud that we can offer a great product to people around the world while also giving people the opportunity to invest in a healthier and safer future for each other and our planet.
What’s Next?
We’re just getting started. We’ve learned valuable lessons over the past years, absorbing them into our practice as we progress.
There is no shortage of conferences to talk about problems. But we identified an actual problem and stuck at it until we achieved results. Cooking with SolSource is just the beginning. This technology harnesses a huge amount of energy that can be used for a range of other household needs. We have research collaborations with top universities with the exciting goal of turning SolSource into a household energy plant – one that can heat homes, power appliances, and purify water.
There’s a great deal of untapped opportunity in solar energy.
Human-centered and community-based collaboration is essential to the development process. It is at the heart of our social enterprise.
We need help from all of you readers to spread the word about solar cooking, and the difference SolSource can make for our planet. Please join us in creating a solar future.
Catlin Powers
Founder
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Catlin Powers
Co-Founder & CEO,
One Earth Designs