Sunlabob

Sunlabob Renewable Energy is a Lao commercial company that provides sustainable renewable solutions to areas that are off the electrical grid. It was licensed in 2001 and its headquarters and base are in Vientiane, the capital of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The company operates as a profitable, full-service renewable energy provider selling hardware and providing commercially viable energy services.^[1]

Besides Laos, Sunlabob also has operations in other parts of the world. In January 2008, Sunlabob extended its activities to the Kingdom of Thailand through their franchise partner Samui Service Solarpower Ltd. While the focus in the Lao PDR is more on rural electrification, the market in Thailand is more focused on promoting solar water heating and energy efficiency consulting, both for homes and businesses.

In May 2009 after being approached by United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Afghanistan Small and Medium Enterprise Development (ASMED), and (Development Alternatives, Inc.)DAI, Sunlabob carried out an assessment of the feasibility of the solar lamp project in Afghanistan, taking into account the local human, social and technical constraints. One of the aims was to evaluate whether the Sunlabob approach to financing and establishing franchised SME energy service hubs in small remote villages could be replicated in Afghanistan.

In April 2009, Sunlabob embarked on its first development in Africa. Together with its Ugandan franchise partner, TSSD, Sunlabob visited Ssazi village in Northern Uganda and introduced its Solar Lantern Programme.

Sunlabob has partnered with private, public and non-governmental organizations such as engineering company Comin Khmere, the Laos Ministry of Energy and Mines, Electricite du Laos and Engineers Without Borders. It is the winner of the 2008 UNEP Sasakawa Prize and the European Parliament's 2007, 2008 and 2009 National Energy Globe Award.^[2] Sunlabob is located in Vientiane.^[3]

In 2007 Sunlabob won an Ashden Award for their work with solar powered lighting.^[4]

In 2010, Sunlabob established Sunlabob International Pte Ltd and broadened its international presence in Singapore, principally to enhance marketing and business development operations.

In 2012, Sunlabob won a Best Practice in CSR Award at the World CSR Day ^[5] held in India.

List of awards/prizes:

2012: Best practice in CSR Award

2010: Winner Cleantech National Competition in Singapore

2010: Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship Winner (Asia Region)

2009: National Energy Globe Award

2009: Asia Forum for Clean Energy Financing Finalist

2008: UNEP Sasakawa Prize

2008: Lighting Africa

2008: National Energy Globe Award

2008: Tech Awards Laureate

2007: Ashden Award

2007: National Energy Globe Award

2006: World Challenge Finalist

2005: Development Marketplace (World Bank)

2005: DGS Solar Prize

See also

• Energy in Laos
• Alternative energy

External links

• Sunlabob Company
• Engineers Without Borders UK, 'Bringing Clean Water to Rural Laos Communities'
• National Energy Globe Awards site, 2007 award listings

References