Solar energy developer Phanes Group opens call for solar power incubator

Phanes Group, a Dubai-based solar energy developer, has opened calls for applications to its solar power incubator programme aimed at early-stage solar energy startups working with photovoltaic (PV) technology in sub-Saharan Africa.

The incubator is run in partnership with Solarplaza, Hogan Lovells, Proparco, Responsibility and RINA Consulting. It aims to assist early stage solar energy startups with access to funding, commercial and technical training as well as to equip them with insights on how to succeed in their current and future projects.

Applications are open to developers with solar projects in sub-Saharan Africa focusing on photovoltaic technology. Projects must have the capacity to generate between 10 MW and 100 MW of power. In addition, interested applicants are expected to submit a detailed corporate social responsibility concept which will be further developed in the incubator.

The application deadline for the solar power incubator is 1 October, finalists will be announced on 12 October

The first phase of the incubator will entail submission of applications by 1 October. Applications will be evaluated by a team of experts from the Phanes Group, with between three and five shortlisted finalists to be announced on 12 October.

The finalists will be invited to the Unlocking Solar Capital Africa conference in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on an all-expenses paid trip between 25 and 26 October. During the conference the finalists will pitch their projects to an expert panel consisting of representatives from the incubator’s partner organisations.

The winning pitches will be announced on 26 October. The winners will be invited to Phanes Group’s headquarters to kick off the second phase of the incubator with an intensive four-day training workshop in Dubai. The workshop will cover training in project finance, project development and execution, legal and corporate social responsibility.

This will be followed by a two-month incubator mentorship programme where the winners will enter a joint development agreement with Phanes Group and work remotely from their respective regions, to co-develop and execute projects.

As part of the agreement Phanes Group will invest in the participants. In addition, the company will also develop and roll out the corporate social responsibility concepts submitted by the winners.

Phanes Group CEO Martin Haupts said: “Clean energy has the potential to transform sub-Saharan Africa for years to come, but successfully implemented PV solar projects require a diverse mix of expertise and knowledge to bring them to financial close”.

Learn more and download the submission form here.

Featured image: (Supplied)