Defy South Africa, has recently announced the launch of its ground-breaking Solar Off-Grid fridge and freezer range, specifically designed to address the challenges related to frequent loadshedding and clean energy access in South Africa. Being the first of its kind in the market, the Defy Solar Off-Grid represents a significant step forward in sustainable technology by offering a practical solution for households and businesses across the country.
Designed specifically to reduce electricity consumption and reliance on the national electricity grid, it functions completely off-grid with battery and solar integration. By making use of Africa’s most abundant resource – sunshine, this range makes it easier to live a climate-friendly, greener life.
Commenting on this, Mustafa Soylu, CEO of Defy, explains “finding an alternative or a supplement to the national power grid is not only essential to working towards a solution to South Africa’s energy crisis, but is also a vital part of contributing to more sustainable living and a better future. For the immediate future at least, solar power remains the most viable option.”
Defy is also committed to extending the benefits of solar power to underserved communities throughout South Africa. In partnership with Taking Care of Business (TCB), Defy has launched a unique Solar Community Project in the Umlazi township. This initiative is aimed at supporting and uplifting households, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), as well as preschools in the area.
This upliftment project will not only enhance energy access but also empower communities to become self-reliant and resilient in the face of growing energy challenges while continuing with daily operations.
Tracey Gilmore, Chief Operating Officer for Taking Care of Business (TCB) shares that: “TCB has been supporting unemployed South Africans to become self-employed and independent for 14 years, mostly within the circular economy. In that time, we have recruited over 6000 people into our enterprise development programmes, an intense but holistic human-development initiative that focuses on developing and training people with the skills they need to become financially and socially independent. The Solar Community project is an excellent example of a purposeful business giving back to its community. With the help of Solar Off-Grid products, our beneficiaries in Umlazi can access energy and cost-effective refrigeration, expand their businesses, and better serve their communities.”
Soylu concludes, the next challenge is to make cutting-edge technology affordable and available to all. “We will closely monitor and report on the changes in people’s lives in Umlazi and will share the findings as we make progress. We believe that we’ll witness a drastic change in quality of life and aim to expand our footprint with this project to other parts of the world.”
Taking Care of Business (TCB) is a nonprofit social enterprise. We are empowering unemployed South Africans and their families to escape the cycle of poverty through small business opportunities, mostly within the circular economy.
