Solar water access solutions
Smart Solar Boreholes
We replace diesel generators with clean, reliable solar power, rehabilitate failing boreholes, and embed local water agents to guarantee self-sustaining, long-term operations.
The challenge
Diesel Costs Are Soaring
Diesel costs are soaring across East Africa. Millions of rural community members rely on expensive, polluting and unreliable diesel-powered boreholes for their water supply.
We have developed extensive expertise in solar borehole design and implementation, through tried-and-tested business models and bespoke technologies.
Impact
What Each Site Delivers
Per site
No increase in cost to end users
Compared with diesel
For community water agents
How it works
Build, Own, Operate, Transfer
Through our Build, Own, Operate, Transfer (BOOT) model, communities pay nothing upfront.
1. Build
We install the solar system and rehabilitate the borehole where needed.
2. Own
Starling Power finances and owns the system, so the community pays nothing upfront.
3. Operate
A water agent from the local community is trained to run the site, selling water on a pre-paid basis.
4. Transfer
Once costs are recovered, the assets are transferred to the community.
Value for money
Value in Every Cent Spent
- $5 lifetime capital cost per person gaining improved water access
- Capital cost recovery in under 2 years, ready for reinvestment into new water projects
- 5% water sales commission paid directly to the local community water committee, enabling savings for future maintenance and training
Our expertise
Proven Track Record
- 20+ years in private borehole operations
- 7+ years delivering off-grid solar solutions
- Proprietary, low-cost solar and water monitoring and control technology
- Trusted government and local partnerships across the region
In their words
What Communities Tell Us
"We as women, we can now walk a shorter distance to get water and are able to go back home early for other family activities. For sure, the project has kept us free from the slavery of finding water from far away."
"The solar system has really helped us a lot. In the past, we used to rely on a generator, which was very expensive to operate. We also had to wake up at night to pump water into the tank so that the livestock could have water on time. But now, we pump enough water during the day, and the tank remains full at all times. We can now get time to rest at night."
Technology
Borehole Data Collection, Monitoring and Control
We have developed the in-house technical expertise to make a customisable, low-cost monitoring and control device. It ensures reliable, sustainable operations, without prohibitively high hardware and subscription costs.
Why monitor
- Understand typical usage, informing future designs for maximum cost efficiency and usefulness
- Remote troubleshooting, reducing technician travel costs
- Early warning when components near the end of their life
- Accurate energy data, with carbon credit and DREC potential
Data logger
- Cross-compatible with inverters supporting Modbus data exchange, including Grundfos
- Customisable logging frequency and data
- Local offline logging to SD card
- Real-time online visualisation via cellular data or wifi
- Customisable visualisations for different applications
Remote control
- Time-based shut-off for any inverter
- Offline shut-off using unlock tokens entered locally
- Remote shut-off where there is cellular or wifi connectivity
- Shut-off when an energy or water counter level is reached, for inverters with Modbus data logging
Is your borehole a good fit?
Typical Site Characteristics
| Population within 5 km | 5,000 |
|---|---|
| Borehole flow rate | 15 m³/hr |
| Pump size | 7.5 kW |
| Livestock watered daily | 3,000 |
Running a diesel borehole, or have one that has stopped working? Send us the pump size, flow rate and current fuel use.
More than water
Power That Supports Livelihoods
Solar at a borehole site can power more than the pump. Services commonly added at our sites include:
- Maize milling and agri-processing
- Fridges and freezers
- Phone, torch and radio charging
- Small businesses such as salons
Get a Quote
Please get in touch to discuss your project needs: solar boreholes, off-grid solar, partnerships or investment anywhere in Tanzania.