Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

WHILE the world has made significant strides in expanding access to electricity, the stark reality is that many people in developing countries still live without this essential service.

According to the International Energy Agency, an astonishing 760 million people worldwide lacked access to electricity in 2022, with the majority of these individuals living in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Spark, a Netherlands-based company founded in 2013, is bridging the energy gap for millions in emerging markets and lighting up homes across Africa with its innovative solar power solutions.

The company has recently made a foray into Shenzhen by registering a business entity, which enables it to hire locally and integrate more closely with Chinese manufacturers and suppliers. With a presence in Shenzhen, Spark aims to continue developing and manufacturing affordable, sustainable, and user-friendly solar products.

Localization and

collaboration

“We don’t want to be a foreign company working together with Chinese companies. We want to be a Chinese company working together with Chinese companies. We feel that’s the best way to localize and collaborate,” Evan Mertens, co-founder of Spark, told Shenzhen Daily.

Mertens, who studied at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands, was inspired to create Spark during his graduation project, which focused on providing electricity to those without access.

After initial trials in India, Spark shifted its focus to Africa because its infrastructure is more compatible with renewable energy products. The company also moved its manufacturing and development to China, taking advantage of Shenzhen’s innovative and efficient manufacturing ecosystem.

“I watched a documentary about Shenzhen’s maker scene, in which they showed how easy it is and how quickly you can prototype products in Shenzhen. As I’m a product developer, I wanted to go to Shenzhen to see that,” Mertens said.

Mertens went on a few trips to experience Shenzhen’s innovation firsthand. What he found exceeded expectations: a bustling ecosystem in which suppliers and parts are abundant and a culture of hard work and rapid problem-solving prevails.

The discovery also led Spark to a strategic decision — not to just source from China but to become an integral part of the local fabric. “That’s when we decided it makes sense to establish ourselves in Shenzhen,” Mertens said.

The firm has recognized that being close to the factories, with their innovation and efficiency, would accelerate its growth and enable it to respond swiftly to market demands. Spark’s vision has evolved from being a foreign entity collaborating with Chinese companies to becoming a fully integrated Chinese company, in spirit and practice.

“Chinese companies are able to do things in an innovative and quick way. We want to be like that, so we want to really integrate locally,” Mertens said.

According to Mertens, the impression that Shenzhen leaves is one of relentless energy and a can-do attitude. “The suppliers are very willing to collaborate and to see how we can work together to get this product done, get the price right. And all things are always possible. It’s never impossible,” he said.

Bright future for all

Imagine the joy of African children being able to study into the evening under bright light bulbs, or the relief of families no longer breathing in the fumes of kerosene lamps.

With portable chargers, radios, televisions, and fans now within reach, communities that were once without electricity are not only gaining access to modern conveniences but are also experiencing improved health, education, and economic opportunities.

The impact of Spark’s off-grid solar systems is felt most deeply in the daily lives of those it serves.

“We were grateful to have convenience when we heard about the Spark solar kit. We use the radio during the day and television at night, which helps us stay in touch with the outside world,” said Amadou Moctar B.A., from Senegal, who has been using the Spark solar kit since May 2021.

“The Spark solar kit has made my life so much easier! This keeps my shop safe at night when we don’t have a lot of street lights,” said Neema Bigarura Nelly, from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to Mertens, one of Spark’s key advantages is that its solar kits are modular and expandable, which allows users to start with a single battery and light kit and expand as their needs grow.

Each Spark solar kit has one or multiple batteries that are connected to solar panel(s) to power a number of devices. A fully charged battery can run for up to eight hours.