A Cambridge CleanTech executive was telling a UK summit today that the West  should consider harnessing the low power devices being pioneered in developing countries.

Dr Seena Rejal, Eight19’s head of business development, was explaining to delegates at The Guardian CleanTech Summit that the West had much to learn from these new technologies being applied elsewhere on the planet.

Dr Rejal is saying: “In response to the roll-out of solar power, emerging economies are pioneering low power devices such as LED lighting, 12V televisions, fridges and other appliances.

“In contrast to the West, where energy is often taken for granted, these low power devices allow users to have many of the benefits of an electrified household at a fraction of the power usage.

“Perhaps there is a lesson here for Western economies, currently grappling with energy efficiency in a world with ever more electrical devices. As these low-power devices gain currency in developing economies, the West may discover new ways to achieve lower energy consumption without having to forego high quality electronic devices.”

Dr Rejal was also explaining how Eight19’s new pay-as-you go technology IndiGo – involving ‘solar scratch cards’ – were already transforming lives in East Africa.

He was saying that, just as mobile phones removed the need to expand the wired telephone network in Africa and the Indian sub-continent, pay-as-you-go solar technology could provide electricity power to communities in off-grid locations without the need for a massive and costly expansion to a country’s electricity grid infrastructure.

It is estimated that 1.6bn people globally do not currently have access to electricity via the grid but with solutions such as IndiGo, they can have access to clean low-cost solar energy, instead of relying on expensive and polluting diesel generators for their electrical power and kerosene lamps for lighting.

Dr Rejal is telling delegates: “In rural Africa and India, electricity is in short supply. Grid penetration is low and the growth in power usage for those that are connected is challenging Governments’ attempts to extend the grid further.

“IndiGo combines solar and mobile phone technology in a system that offers users an affordable way to people to power their homes without a grid connection because users pay only for the energy they use rather than paying for expensive solar energy panels and equipment.

“In effect, Eight19 has found a way for solar power to be sold as an off-grid service. IndiGo is a great example of a clean-technology having far-reaching social, economic and environmental benefits for people living in the developing world.”