De-rahbs Energy Services
Apr 09, 2018
Solar energy could be one of the most effective solutions for realising reliable, accessible energy in Africa, and Atalor Ngozi Deborah is on the front line, pursuing a “dream of taking solar energy to every home in Nigeria.”
Atalor, founder of De-rahbs Energy Services, won Merit place in the 2017 Shell LiveWIRE Top Ten Innovators competition. In addition to the US $5,000 prize money, her win has and gained her the nickname ‘solar lady’ with the Nigerian press.
De-rahbs installs, services and repairs solar energy equipment. Through an innovative business model, it is able to offer affordable solar energy solutions on a small scale, in particular empowering families and businesses in more rural areas to adopt the technology. A low-cost solar energy payment plan provides an affordable option for customers with limited income. The business also provides training to future engineers and energy entrepreneurs.
After winning the Award, De-rahbs received coverage across Nigeria’s national Press, including Vanguard, the Guardian, Pulse and the Independent, as well as appearing in a Shell Nigeria campaign promoting innovative energy entrepreneurs. Atalor was championed as a successful, female entrepreneur with a strong social purpose, ‘solar lady’.
De-rahbs Energy Services went on to win again with Shell LiveWIRE in December 2017, taking home one of three top prizes at a Shell #makethefuture accelerator for young and aspiring entrepreneurs, hosted in Port Harcourt.