Access to electricity is something that most of us take for granted, we use electricity more or less 24/7 and when the power fails it feels like the world stops for a while – until it’s back again! Imagine not being able to turn the lights on, charge your phone at home, quick and easy boil water, cook food or have a hot shower. And how would the economic sector and our workplace look like if we didn’t have electricity?

Electricity is fundamental in our daily life and the way our society function. In short, it’s the foundation for modern living—in the way we live, work, commute and communicate.

Unfortunately, this is not the reality for everyone. In fact, there are millions of people in the world who lack access to electricity.

Just as there are several ways to measure poverty, “energy poverty” can be defined is different ways. Two important characteristics that have been agreed upon: access to electricity and clean cooking fuels that do not cause air pollution in houses. Sometimes is also access to mechanical power included as a third aspect. In other words, people who are “energy poor” lack the possibility to cook with modern cooking facilities and have no electric lights in their home. As a consequence, women and children spend hours every day to search for energy fuels-time that could have been used for education or income generating activities.

Around 1.2 billion people still lack access to electricity. Most of them, 95%, live in sub-Saharan Africa or developing Asia. And 2.7 billion people rely on solid fuels for cooking and heating. This usage leads to severe indoor and outdoor air pollution which causes 4.3 million deaths per year.

At the same time the technology, entrepreneurs, and knowledge about renewable sources like solar energy are available and just waiting to get used. The big problem is finance. Small entrepreneurs in emerging markets need financial help in order to get started or be able to scale their business. TRINE came up with a smart solution to this problem.With the help of a digital investment platform it is possible to connect capital from private individuals with the local solar entrepreneurs. As a private individual, you invest in a specific solar energy project and get a return on investment while making positive social and environmental impact. It’s a win-win and most importantly, it’s all about creating triple impact: People, planet, profit.