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New Results Based Financing Programs Accelerate Clean Energy Access  August 6, 2024 – Liberia and Redwood City, CA, USA – Today Amped Innovation  and Rural Solar Inc . announced a new partnership to expand clean energy access across Liberia. A key project the two companies are supporting is The Liberia Solar Home System Results-based Financing ( LSHS-RBF ) program. Jointly implemented by Energising Development ( EnDev ) and BRAC Liberia  with funding from the Netherlands Government Directorate-General for International Cooperation ( DGIS ), the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency ( RREA ) and the World Bank , this RBF is expected to reach at least 37,000 Liberians through direct subsidies, and 78,000 through indirect subsidies. The goal of the RBF is to provide access to clean energy services in Liberia through off-grid solar home systems and close the affordability gap faced by the most vulnerable parts of the population. The need for the off-grid sector in Liberia remains vast. A significant portion of the population still relies on solar home systems even in urban and suburban areas because of the limited access to the national grid, road infrastructure, civil conflict and pandemics. Together, Rural Solar and Amped aim to install 2,900 solar kits this year and 6,900 kits over the next 24 months. “Having visited many of these rural communities across Liberia, reliable and affordable energy access remains a big need,” said Lee Walkie, CEO and Founder of Rural Solar. “The quality of Amped’s solar products keeps our after-sales strong and warranty low compared to others. Specifically, the Amped WowSolar PAYGO keypad is really easy for our customers to use compared to digital keypads. This feature, combined with our Upya CRM,  makes repayments more secure than other options on the market.” The RBF also aims to stimulate entrepreneurship and green workforce development for emerging solar distribution companies. The partnership between Amped and Rural Solar combines the unique strengths of both organizations. Under the leadership of its founder, Lee Walkie, a seasoned business leader with broad experience in off grid solar sales and last mile distribution, Rural Solar contributes its extensive network and market knowledge to the Liberian market. Rural Solar is a member of the Liberian Off-Grid Task Force , which was established by the Government of Liberia , international development agencies, local businesses and supported by the Beyond the Grid for Africa Fund ( BGFA ) to operationalize and improve affordable access to solar energy systems. Often, when we arrive in these areas, the locals organize formal welcoming ceremonies to express their gratitude for reaching them.  The WowSolarTM Advantage Amped Innovation's WowSolar product line includes high-performance, upgradeable solar and battery solutions for cost-effective, reliable clean energy. Amped’s kits are designed to provide brighter lights, longer run times between charges and automatically dim lamps when the battery runs low, extending the runtime for customers by an extra hour. Unlike other similar products on the market, customers can charge up to two mobile phones without compromising evening runtime. Rural Solar has primarily been stocking WowSolar 60, 100 and 400 lighting and charging kits.  “We’re honored to partner with Rural Solar, a team of industry veterans, and match their ambition to close the energy access gaps,” said Andi Kleissner, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Amped Innovation. “The need for clean energy access remains acute and these new programs will help accelerate clean energy for Liberians.” About Rural Solar Rural Solar Inc  is a leading solar home system distributor in Liberia. The company is committed to providing access to quality, clean, affordable, and better energy services in existing and underserved markets across Liberia. Learn more about Rural Solar on its website  and follow Rural Solar on Facebook .  Liberia Energy Business Network  Radio Cape Network 102.4FM About Amped Innovation Amped Innovation is a public benefit corporation that builds affordable, reliable solar systems and appliances for small businesses and households in emerging markets. It’s sold over 220,000 off-grid solar home systems across 30 countries in Africa and Asia and continues to build its product line of highly-efficient solar powered appliances including refrigerators, fans and televisions. Learn more about Amped by visiting the   Amped website  and following Amped on   LinkedIn ,   Facebook ,   Instagram  and   X . Media contact: info@ampedinnovation.com

New R&D for the industry's first affordable, rugged DC solar generator to power agricultural equipment including: maize mills, water pumps, freezers, and more The project will enable Amped’s research and development of an affordable, rugged DC solar generator to power agricultural equipment including: maize mills, water pumps, freezers, and more. “We’re honored to receive this new agritech grant funding from Efficiency for Access to power productive use appliances for smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs,” said Kurt Kuhlmann. “Skipping the high voltage AC system approach in favor of solar DC will always be more reliable and cost effective for the end user and this invention fits squarely in our wheelhouse.” Micro retailers or dukas would like an affordable DC solar generator which can be multipurpose to run appliances during the day and charge cell phones, run fans, and lights at night. Amped is addressing this unique market need for high-power agricultural solar-powered appliances. Existing DC generators are limited to low voltages (typically 12 volts) and insufficient for powering larger productive-use loads. While some 48V DC solutions exist, those are few and remain cost-prohibitive. AC solar generators are always more costly, and very energy inefficient for high-power agricultural usage since efficient appliances are all fundamentally built around brushless DC motors in the 12-48V range To date, Amped has built and deployed over 220,000 solar systems, and recently launched its EasyFreeze product line. With this R&D funding, Amped will bring its power electronics expertise to design a drop-in DC solar generator system that is one-third the cost of anything in the market today. With an integrated battery bank, 1kW true MPPT charge controller, and a 48V output for many different high-power agri appliances, our system will also be modular and easily field repairable and expandable.

Providing refugee camps with solar lighting and phone charging through SNV’s Market-Based Energy Access II project July 17, 2024 – Nairobi, Kenya and Redwood City, CA, USA – Today Amped Innovation  and Access & Move  (A&M) announced a partnership to expand clean energy access across Kenya. A key project the two companies are supporting is SNV’s Market-Based Energy Access II  project in refugee camps in Northern Kenya with additional humanitarian projects rolling out later this year. The SNV Market-Based Energy Access II project addresses the lack of energy access in the Kakuma Refugee Camp and Kalobeyei Integrated Settlement in Turkana, Northern Kenya. These areas house approximately 40 percent of Kenya's refugee and asylum seeker population, totaling around 475,000 individuals. The communities within these areas don’t have access to the national grid, forcing them to rely on inefficient, expensive solutions. This collaboration aims to roll out thousands of safe and affordable solar-powered lighting, TV, and fan systems to poor and vulnerable communities in these areas, significantly improving the living conditions for both the refugee and host communities. The partnership between Amped Innovation and A&M combines the unique strengths of both organizations. Under the leadership of its founder Alex Olum , a seasoned business leader with broad experience in Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) solutions and the Route-To-Market in Africa and former Managing Director of d.light, A&M contributes its extensive distribution network and in-depth knowledge of the Kenyan market.  "We’re excited to partner with Amped, a world-class technology partner," said Olum Alex, A&M founder. “We expect to triple solar kit sales this year and we could not think of a better growth partner to meet the market needs alongside us.” Amped Innovation, known for its technological expertise, offers affordable and reliable solar systems designed for efficiency and upgradeability. These products are set to significantly improve living conditions within these camps. Amped Innovation and A&M collectively strive to meet ambitious project goals, aiming to provide energy access to 60,000+ people this year. The WowSolar Advantage Amped Innovation's WowSolar product line includes high-performance, upgradeable solar and battery solutions for cost-effective, reliable clean energy. Amped’s kits are designed to provide brighter lights, longer run times between charges and automatically dim lamps when the battery runs low, extending the runtime for customers by an extra hour. Unlike other similar products on the market, customers can charge up to two mobile phones without compromising evening runtime. A&M has primarily been stocking WowSolar 60, 100 and 400 lighting and charging kits.  “We’re honored to partner with Access & Move, a team of industry veterans, and kick-off this partnership with such a critically important project,” said Andi Kleissner, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Amped Innovation. “The off-grid and humanitarian need for access energy for lighting, phone charging and cooling remains acute.” About Amped Innovation Amped Innovation is a public benefit corporation that builds affordable, reliable solar systems and appliances for small businesses and households in emerging markets. It’s sold over 220,000 off-grid solar home systems across 30 countries in Africa and Asia and continues to build its product line of highly-efficient solar powered appliances including refrigerators, fans and televisions. Learn more about Amped by visiting the   Amped website  and following Amped on   LinkedIn ,   Facebook ,   Instagram  and   X . Media contact: info@ampedinnovation.com About Access & Move (A&M) A&M is a leading promoter of energy access and a reliable Route-To-Market partner in Kenya. The company is committed to providing affordable and sustainable power through affordable solar home systems and productive-use appliances, bringing clean energy to those living beyond the national electrical grid in Kenya. Learn more about A&M's journey on their website here , and follow their advancements on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram  and X .

Together, the companies have deployed over 28,000 Off-Grid Solar Kits Across Cameroon July 9, 2024 – Redwood City, CA, USA and Yaoundé, Cameroon – Today upOwa  and Amped Innovation  announced an expanded partnership to empower off-grid communities across Cameroon with clean energy access. This collaboration aims to roll out over 5,000 state-of-the-art solar-powered lighting, TV, fan systems to small businesses and households this year, bringing the transformative power of information and entertainment to off-grid regions. Since 2018, Amped and upOwa have deployed over 28,000 solar home systems across Cameroon.   Since its inception, upOwa has provided clean energy access to over 300,000 people , enabling rural households to acquire its equipment through a pay-as-you-go system. Early this year, French energy giant Électricité de France (EDF) became a majority shareholder in upOwa. upOwa will continue its expansion and further increase its impact. “We are proud to have empowered hundreds of thousands of families with electricity, bridging the power gap between urban and rural areas in Cameroon,” said Loïc Descamps, upOwa CEO. “Our expanded partnership with Amped Innovation brings us closer to our impact goal of reaching 1 million off-grid customers by 2030.”  A focus on workforce development is central to the partnership's success. Amped will train and empower upOwa’s team of 100 sales agents across Cameroon on its second generation WowSolar kit . This commitment to building a skilled solar distribution and installation workforce ensures not only successful product deployments but also fosters greater economic opportunities within the communities served. The WowSolar Advantage The WowSolar TV boasts a series of innovative features designed to deliver unparalleled performance and unmatched upgradeability, making it the perfect solution for those seeking clean and reliable entertainment options: Brightest screen and longest run times within the off-grid market. Pay-As-You-Go financing software agnostic and user-friendly keypad. Safer and longer-lasting solar controller performance as Amped uses LFP battery chemistry. “upOwa was one of our first partners, and we’re so proud to have grown this off-grid market in Cameroon together,” said Andi Kleissner, Co-founder and Co-CEO of Amped Innovation. “However, more energy access is still needed as 45 percent of the population in Cameroon still needs access to energy. We look forward to closing this gap alongside upOwa.” About upOwa, an EDF Company upOwa, an EDF Company, is a leader in providing access to energy in Cameroon. Through affordable solar home systems and productive use appliances, upOwa provides access to clean energy for people who live beyond the national electrical grid. Learn more about upOwa online: https://www.upowa.energy/  and follow upOwa on LinkedIn .  About Amped Innovation  Amped Innovation is a public benefit corporation that builds affordable, reliable solar systems and appliances for small businesses and households in emerging markets. It’s sold over 220,000 off-grid solar home systems across 30 countries in Africa and Asia and continues to build its product line of highly-efficient solar powered appliances including refrigerators, fans and televisions. Learn more about Amped by visiting the Amped website  and following Amped on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram  and X .  Media contact: info@ampedinnovation.com

March 1, 2023 – Nairobi, Kenya – Today, Deevabits and Amped Innovation announced its partnership and new cold storage offering, the EasyFreeze, in Kenya. Deevabits has sold and distributed 35,000+ solar systems across 12 counties, created over 450+ jobs, and provided access to electricity for over 175,000+ people. Deevabits has expertise in last-mile solar distribution and PAYGO financing to bring more energy access to off-grid communities. There is growing demand for its high-performance solar-powered cold storage system. Refrigeration is key to improving public health through measures such as cold storage infrastructure for vaccines; improving livelihoods and incomes of small shop owners who sell cold drinks; and reducing post-harvest food loss for farmers. "In Kenya, countless small businesses, particularly in off-grid or weak-grid areas, desperately require dependable and cost-effective cold storage solutions for meat, fish, perishable goods, water, milk and various beverages," explained David Wanjau, Founder and CEO of Deevabits. "It's essential for these business owners to have the freedom to manage their inventory according to their needs, rather than being obligated to purchase a certain amount of soft drinks monthly as a condition for acquiring refrigeration equipment. We are thrilled to introduce the EasyFreeze to the Kenyan market and collaborate with Amped, empowering our customers with greater autonomy and choice." The EasyFreeze Advantage The 100 liter EasyFreeze chest can run without sunshine for up to 40 hours, can refrigerate in less than 30 minutes (8ºC) and freeze in under 1 hour (0ºC). Most importantly, the EasyFreeze is up to 38 percent more affordable than other similar cold storage products on the market in Africa. Amped has carefully engineered a solution customers want and will continue to build upon its initial product offering which is: Efficiency: At least 38 percent more efficient than leading competitors. Automatically runs at a lower duty cycle if there is insufficient solar to conserve the battery or when powered off to maintain battery integrity. Autonomy: At least 89 percent longer autonomy than leading competitors. State-of-the-art thermal battery (propylene glycol) provides 40 hours of cooling without any power inputs after sundown or a power outage. Speed: 2x-22x faster freezing capabilities. Performance: Uniform temperature profile and quality tested up to 43°C for superior performance in hot climates. Safety features including: tilt and travel operation cutoff, thermal & overcurrent shutdown and solar panel reverse polarity protection. Eco-friendly refrigerant, r600a. According to a recent Impact Report from Efficiency for Access, IKEA Foundation and UK Aid, the authors found that solar fridges are usually cost-prohibitive for rural Sub-Saharan Africa, retailing between $1,300-$2,000 per system. Since 2016, Amped has focused on designing and engineering products for extreme affordability and extreme environmental conditions. Amped’s novel integration of an ice battery in the EasyFreeze results in a $160 customer savings, allowing Amped to retail the EasyFreeze for less than $900 with PAYGo financing this year. “Our goal is to build universally accessible products,” said Amped Innovation Co-founder and Co-CEO, Andi Kleissner. “With the EasyFreeze, we don’t want our trusted partners and customers to have to sacrifice quality for price, so we focus heavily on value-engineering designs with quality materials that enable best-in-class safety and performance.” About Deevabits Green Energy Deevabits is a for-profit social enterprise headquartered in Kenya that distributes and finances essential products and services to rural customers through a team of commission based village social entrepreneurs. Deevabits is committed to job creation for women and young adults, and enabling customers to grow their savings and improve their living standards.Learn more about Deevabits: https://www.deevabits.com/ About Amped Innovation Amped Innovation is a public benefit corporation that builds affordable, reliable solar systems and appliances for small businesses and households in emerging markets. It’s sold over 217,000 off-grid solar home systems across 30 countries in Africa and Asia and continues to build its product line of highly-efficient solar powered appliances including refrigerators, fans and televisions. Learn more about Amped by visiting the Amped website and following Amped on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Green Impact Technologies has been selected by the Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund (NNNF) under the Malawi Electricity Access Project to deploy over 15,000 solar home systems April 15, 2024 – Lilongwe, Malawi – Today, Green Impact Technologies (GIT) and Amped Innovation announced a partnership to scale over 15,000 solar home systems across Malawi this year as part of the Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund “NNNF.” Through this partnership, GIT aims to grow its solar workforce and provide households with reliable access to Amped Innovation’s trusted solar lighting, phone charging, and radio kits. With funding from the World Bank, the Malawi Off-Grid Market Development Fund (OGMDF), or the Ngwee Ngwee Ngwee Fund (NNNF), aims to drive the urgent provision of energy access and scale up the off-grid solar market in Malawi. This fund consists of a USD 6 million Results Based Financing (RBF) Grant window and a USD 14M debt window for off-grid solar companies to provide access to at least 200,000 new households in Malawi by June 2024. The Malawi Electricity Access Project kicked off with a ceremonial contract signing event chaired by Engineer Alfonso Chikuni, Secretary of Energy and esteemed development partners, and World Bank Group officials. This landmark initiative, led by the Ministry of Energy, aims to illuminate rural, low-income, off-grid communities across Malawi. “We’re honored to contribute to Malawi’s solar energy economy and bring new energy access to communities in need,” said Green Impact Technologies CEO, Admore Chiumia. “There is growing demand for reliable and cost-efficient high-performance solar-powered systems, which is why we partnered with Amped Innovation to bring the technology to market.” Green Impact Technologies is a locally owned and run last-mile PAYGO solar product distribution company. Recently, GIT recruited over 200 new sales agents, demonstrating its commitment to local job creation and increasing access to clean energy in support of the Malawi government's agenda for sustainable economic growth. Amped Innovation Customer Success Lead, Mamour Seck led a 3-day product training in Malawi. The WowSolar Advantage WowSolar™ Lighting Kits are more affordable and have more upgradeability than what’s available in the market, allowing more off-grid businesses and households to gain access to clean energy. Amped’s high-performance solar lighting kits are designed to provide brighter lamps and longer run times between charges. The lamps automatically dim when the battery runs low, extending the runtime for customers by an extra hour. Households and small businesses can charge up to two mobile phones without compromising evening runtime. Amped’s solar controller uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry which increases the lifetime value of each unit as compared to the NMC chemistry, which degrades twice as fast. “We’re honored to partner with Green Impact Technologies in Malawi and accelerate affordable access to solar energy across the country,” said Andi Kleissner, Co-CEO of Amped Innovation. “Climate shocks pose great threats to Malawi’s agricultural economy and gaining access to solar and productive energy appliances will help communities build economic resilience and move above the poverty line.” About Amped Innovation Amped Innovation is a public benefit corporation that builds affordable, reliable solar systems and appliances for small businesses and households in emerging markets. It’s sold over 220,000 off-grid solar home systems across 30 countries in Africa and Asia and continues to build its product line of highly-efficient solar powered appliances including refrigerators, fans and televisions. Learn more about Amped by visiting the Amped website and following Amped on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Efficiency for Access Grant Supports Amped in Addressing Energy Access and Cold Storage Challenges Across Africa December 18, 2023 – Redwood City, CA, USA – Today, Amped Innovation announced scaling manufacturing production for its newest productive appliance, the EasyFreeze, to meet growing demand for its solar-powered cold storage system. Only 4 percent of rural areas in Africa have access to refrigeration, which is key to improving public health to refrigerate vaccines; improving livelihoods and incomes of small shop owners who sell perishables; and reducing post-harvest food loss for farmers. Since founding the company in 2016, Amped has sold over 200,000 solar home systems across 30 countries globally. It has raised $5 million in equity financing from Autodesk Foundation, Engie Rassembleurs d'Energies, Schneider Electric Energy Access, Alphamundi, Finca Ventures, Alphamundi, Global Partnerships, angels, and private individual investors on the Republic platform. Amped also secured $6 million for a revolving Working Capital Facility (WCF) from EDFI ElectriFI, and recently expanded this facility by $1 million USD to increase energy access in Burundi. “The Amped team has value-engineered a much needed solution to address cold storage and energy access gaps,” said Didier Kibangu Niati, Portfolio Officer at EDFI Management Company. “The team's proven track record of scaling mass market products lends itself to the future of the EasyFreeze, which is critically important for Sub-Saharan Africans.” “Once again Amped Innovation has brought energy efficiency and affordability to a new level," said Christophe Poline, Sustainable Investments Director at Schneider Electric. “With EasyFreeze, Amped Innovation will enable families and small businesses in rural Africa to get access to cooling services that have been needed for a long time. Congratulations to the team!” The EasyFreeze Advantage The 100 liter EasyFreeze chest can run without sunshine for up to 40 hours, and freeze in under 1 hour (0ºC). Most importantly, the EasyFreeze is the first affordable off-grid cold storage solution in Africa. According to a recent Impact Report from Efficiency for Access, IKEA Foundation and UK Aid, the authors found that solar fridges are usually cost-prohibitive for rural Sub-Saharan Africa, retailing between $1,300-$2,000 per system. The EasyFreeze is: Affordable: Less than $900 with Pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) financing. Energy Efficient: At least 38 percent more efficient than leading competitors. Autonomous: At least 89 percent longer autonomy, staying cold for up to 40 hours without power. Fast: Up to 22x faster freezing capabilities, i.e. in less than 30 minutes (8ºC) and freeze in under 1 hour (0ºC). Safe: Features include tilt and travel operation cutoff, thermal & overcurrent shutdown and solar panel reverse polarity protection. “Our goal is to build universally accessible products,” said Amped Innovation Co-founder and Co-CEO, Andi Kleissner. “With the EasyFreeze, we don’t want to sacrifice quality for price, so we focus heavily on value-engineering designs with quality materials that enable best-in-class safety and performance.” Ramping EasyFreeze Production to Meet Market Demand Amped will be delivering its first container orders to distribution partners including Deevabits in Kenya, RDG Collective in Zambia and others beginning in Q1 of 2024. Amped will be scaling its manufacturing and has a capacity to produce 100 EasyFreezes per day. "In Kenya, countless small businesses, particularly in off-grid or weak-grid areas, desperately require dependable and cost-effective cold storage solutions for meat, fish, perishable goods, water, milk and various beverages," explained David Wanjau, Founder and CEO of Deevabits. "It's essential for these business owners to have the freedom to manage their inventory according to their needs, rather than being obligated to purchase a certain amount of soft drinks monthly as a condition for acquiring refrigeration equipment. We are thrilled to introduce the EasyFreeze to the Kenyan market and collaborate with Amped, empowering our customers with greater autonomy and choice." “We’re excited to give our customers more cold storage choice and bring the EasyFreeze to market in Zambia,” said Rune Gunnar, Founder and CEO of RDG Collective. “There is significant untapped demand for affordable and ultra-efficient freezers for households, small businesses and medical clinics. By adding the EasyFreeze to our product portfolio, we enhance RDG’s position as Zambian’s premium off-grid distributor, providing products which empower users to improve their livelihoods and the livelihoods of those in their communities.” About Amped Innovation Amped Innovation is a public benefit corporation that builds affordable, reliable solar systems and appliances for small businesses and households in emerging markets. It’s sold over 200,000 off-grid solar home systems across 30 countries in Africa and Asia and continues to build its product line of highly-efficient solar powered appliances. Learn more about Amped Innovation on its website and following along on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Empowering Burundian Households with Clean Energy Solutions Today, Amped Innovation announced an expansion of financing with EDFI ElectriFI. In 2021, Amped secured $6 million for a revolving Working Capital Facility (WCF) from EDFI ElectriFI to co-finance Solar Home Systems (SHS) and productive appliances. In August, the facility was expanded to $1 million USD for furthering energy access specifically in Burundi for WowSolar and EasyFreeze systems. This transaction involves a revolving Working Capital Facility (WCF) to co-finance Amped orders for solar home systems, which will be deployed in Burundi through a network of local distributors. The primary objective of this initiative is to provide clean and reliable energy solutions to over 3,000 Burundian households, significantly contributing to improving energy access in the country. The partnership with Amped Innovation in Burundi marks a crucial milestone for EDFI ElectriFI’s mission to drive a positive impact in this country. Through this collaboration, Amped will actively invest resources in Burundi and explore new business development opportunities, enhancing the potential for sustainable energy growth in the country. Commenting on the significance of this collaboration, Lionel Dieu, Senior Investment Officer at EDFI ElectriFI, stated, “Burundi has been neglected by the commercial investors community for many years, mainly due to large deficits and Foreign Exchange shortages. Yet, the local population’s need for electricity is immense. In this context, we are glad to have found with Amped a commercial partner willing to address this energy gap.” Andi Kleissner, Co-CEO of Amped Innovation, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, saying, “To date, Amped has deployed $5m of clean energy solutions to poor off-grid households through EDFI ElectriFI’s pioneering working capital financing. With this new Burundi window, we are thrilled to expand our work to serve Burundian households. EDFI ElectriFI’s increased flexibility with this $1m funding window for Burundi will make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of people, including those who are the hardest to reach.” The collaboration between EDFI ElectriFI and Amped Innovation began in 2018, with a shared vision to address the pressing energy needs in Sub-Saharan Africa, including in Nigeria. In support of this landmark, Mr Claude Bochu, Head of Delegation European Union to Burundi, stated, “We are delighted to witness EDFI ElectriFI’s commitment of USD 1 million to Amped Innovation, a leading manufacturer of Solar Home Systems (SHS) and productive appliances, in Burundi. This transformative investment also represents a significant contribution to socio-economic development and improving overall living conditions. Burundi, like many other nations, faces energy challenges, and the local population’s need for electricity is undeniable. With this strategic investment, we are pleased to see AMPED taking a proactive approach to address this energy gap, ensuring that more households have access to modern and environmentally friendly energy solutions,” Mr. Claude Bochu emphasized. EDFI ElectriFI and Amped Innovation are committed to the successful implementation of this transformative project, which will undoubtedly leave a lasting positive impact on the lives of Burundian households. About EDFI ElectriFI: EDFI ElectriFI is an EU-funded impact investment facility that focuses on financing early-stage private companies and projects, with a particular emphasis on improving electricity access and supporting sustainable energy generation in emerging markets. Managed by EDFI Management Company, ElectriFI aims to foster positive economic, social, and environmental impacts through strategic investments. https://www.electrifi.eu/ About Amped Innovation Amped Innovation is a social venture that builds affordable, reliable solar products for farmers, fishers, shopkeepers, and households in emerging markets, so they can climb the energy ladder and earn money using solar power.

Even more value-engineered than the first generation WowSolar controller. A charge controller limits the rate at which electric current is added to or drawn from electric batteries to protect against electrical overload, overcharging, and may protect against over-voltage. A controller will stop charging a battery when it exceeds a set voltage level, and re-enables charging when battery voltage drops back below that level. The Amped Gen 2 WowSolar controller is larger, more powerful, and even more capable than its first generation controllers. With the G2 controller, customers are now getting: Brighter lamps: 210 Lumens per lamp Our versus our Gen 1 model had 160 Lumens per lamp. Flexible charging: Charge with a solar panel or an AC wall charger. Perfect for customers who need a grid backup solution. More power: 2x more power handling than Amped’s Gen 1 kits. Up to 100W in (2x50W panels) and 60W out (Fan, TV, decoder, 6 lamps, and smartphones). Larger LFP battery: up to 200Whr in a single enclosure. The WowSolar TV and Fan kits now come with G2 controllers (in many “flavors”…120 Whr, 160 Whr or 200 Whr). Easier operations: No more RJ cable. Just mount the single enclosure on the wall and you’re ready to go! Upgradeable: XT60 port for easy battery upgrades. More reliable: Resettable fuse means self-serve support Wall-mountable with two charge ports and now four cell phone compartments. The Gen 2 WowSolar kits are now available for volume orders. Popular kits include: G2 Deluxe Fan Kit Appliances: 4x 210 Lumen Lamps 1x 16” Stand Fan 1x 160Whr G2 Controller 1x Nails/Clips/Ties 1x Phone Charge Cable 1x Instruction Manual 1x 50W Solar Panel G2 Deluxe TV Kit Appliances: 6x 210 Lumen Lamps 1x 32” TV 1x Torch 1x Radio w/ built-in torch 1x 160Whr G2 Controller 1x Nails/Clips/Ties 1x Instruction manual 1x 50W Solar Panel G2 Deluxe TV + Fan Kit Appliances: 6x 210 Lumen Lamps 1x 32” TV 1x 16” Stand Fan 1x Torch 1x Radio w/ built-in torch 1x 160Whr G2 Controler 1x Nails/Clips/Ties 1x Instruction manual 1x 50W Solar Panel

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 25% to 30% of pharmaceutical products, including vaccines and some medications, require cold storage. Cold chain management is important for maintaining the integrity of medications, especially in the context of global health initiatives and vaccination programs. Proper thermal storage is essential for certain medications to maintain their stability, potency, and effectiveness. Medications that are sensitive to temperature fluctuations often need to be stored within a specific temperature range to ensure their therapeutic efficacy. Vaccines, in particular, are often sensitive to temperature and may require refrigeration or freezing to maintain their potency. The temperature requirements can vary among medications; some may require refrigeration, while others may need to be stored at even lower temperatures in freezers. The ultra-low temperature requirements for some vaccines pose challenges for transportation and distribution, especially in regions with limited cold chain infrastructure. Vaccine stability is crucial for maintaining effectiveness. Stability studies are conducted to determine how long a vaccine can be stored without compromising its potency. Each vaccine has a specified shelf life, and storage conditions should be strictly adhered to during distribution. According to WHO, Africa’s largest-ever immunization drive is active, with COVID-19 vaccines being administered in almost all African countries. Vaccines are the most critical tool to end the pandemic and to save lives and livelihoods. Equitable access to safe and effective vaccines is crucial and Africa must not be left behind. Check out the World Health Organization, COVID-19, Africa Dashboard. The COVAX facility is a global initiative to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines for up to 20% of people in African countries and only distributes vaccines that have received WHO's Emergency Use Listing (EUL). EUL is the WHO gold standard to confirm the quality, safety and efficacy of vaccines used in public health emergencies. It also allows countries to speed up regulatory approval and import the vaccine. EUL approved vaccines for Africa are listed below and the Different COVID-19 vaccines use various technologies, such as mRNA, viral vector, or protein subunit. Each technology may have different temperature storage requirements. Oxford-AstraZeneca, After thawing, the vaccine can only be stored at refrigerated conditions (2–8 °C) for up to 5 days. Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine initially required ultra-low temperature storage at around -70°C (-94°F). However, it can be stored for a limited time at conventional freezer temperatures of -20°C (-4°F) and for a short period at refrigeration temperatures (2°C to 8°C or 36°F to 46°F). Moderna's vaccine, while still requiring freezing temperatures, has less stringent requirements than Pfizer's and can be stored at -20°C (-4°F). Moderna can remain stable at refrigerated conditions (2–8 °C) for 30 days; it can be stored for 6 months at −20 °C. Sinopharm can be stored at 2-8°C for 24 months. Sinovac needs to be stored and transported between 2-8°C, protected from light and cannot be frozen. The tentative shelf life of the vaccine is 24 months at 2 to 8°C Check out the COVID-19 vaccine comparisons here. Various vaccines for preventable diseases such as measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), varicella (chickenpox), and yellow fever often require refrigeration for storage. Some inactivated or subunit vaccines, such as those for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus (HPV), typically require refrigeration. Cold Chain Management For Vaccines Cold chain management involves a series of temperature-controlled storage and distribution steps to ensure the vaccine's integrity from manufacturing to administration. Ensuring equitable global distribution of vaccines poses challenges due to the need for specialized storage equipment in some cases. Cold storage solutions include specialized freezers for ultra-low temperatures and regular freezers and refrigerators for vaccines with less stringent requirements. Some vaccines can tolerate short-term storage at higher temperatures, making them more flexible for distribution. Read the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vaccine Handling Toolkit for cold storage best practices. Refrigeration Required for HPV Vaccine Storage to Protect Women’s Health Proper vaccine storage and handling practices play a very important role in protecting individuals and communities from vaccine-preventable diseases. According to the Center for Disease and Control (CDC), HPV vaccines also need to be protected from light and refrigerated at 2 to 8°C (36 to 46°F) and should not be frozen. If frozen, the vaccine should be discarded. HPV prevalence is among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, at an average of 24%. HPV causes different types of cancers, including cervical cancer (CC), which is the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Sub-Saharan Africa. HPV-vaccination has been proven to be effective in reducing HPV induced cancers. WHO has a target of fully vaccinating 90% of girls within the age of 15 by 2030 in Sub-Saharan African countries. According to the National Library of Medicine, cold chain capacities remain an infrastructure challenge to vaccinate young women. Why the EasyFreeze Is Good for Development in Emerging Markets Amped has designed and manufactured a cold storage solution that can either be used as a solar-powered refrigerator 4°C (40°F) for medical clinics to store vaccines or a freezer for other micro, small or medium enterprises (MSMEs) use cases. Read the Efficiency for Access Innovation Report in collaboration with IKEA Foundation and UK Aid about how Amped Innovation has developed an affordable, high-performance, solar-powered fridge/freezer for Africa.

Empowering SME (Small and Medium Enterprises) with Clean Energy Solutions to increase income with cold storage. Refrigeration is a foundational technology that influences various aspects of development, from ensuring food security to supporting industrial processes and improving overall living standards. Access to reliable and efficient refrigeration is a key factor in the economic and social progress of societies around the world. Food Security & Preservation: Refrigeration helps in preserving and extending the shelf life of perishable foods. In many African countries, a significant portion of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods. Proper refrigeration can reduce post-harvest losses, ensuring that more food reaches markets and consumers. This, in turn, contributes to food security and stability in the availability of nutritious food. Reduced Food Waste: Lack of adequate refrigeration infrastructure often leads to substantial food waste in Africa due to spoilage. Refrigeration can mitigate this issue by allowing for the storage of surplus food during times of plenty for later consumption, reducing overall waste, and improving resource utilization. Food safety: Refrigeration contributes to public health by preventing the growth of harmful bacteria and pathogens in food. By maintaining low temperatures, it slows down the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms that cause food spoilage and reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses. Healthcare and Vaccination Programs: Refrigeration is critical for storing vaccines, medicines, and other medical supplies in healthcare facilities. Many vaccines and medications require specific temperature conditions to remain effective. Reliable refrigeration ensures the availability of life-saving treatments, contributing to better public health outcomes. Economic Development in Agriculture: In the agricultural sector, refrigeration supports the storage and transportation of crops, such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, fish, and poultry. This allows farmers to extend the shelf life of their produce, access broader markets, and reduce post-harvest losses. Proper refrigeration facilities can enhance the economic viability of agriculture by enabling farmers to access broader markets and negotiate better prices for their produce. Access to refrigeration can enhance the overall efficiency and profitability of the agricultural supply chain. Energy Efficiency and Environmental Impact: The development of energy-efficient refrigeration technologies is crucial for sustainable development. Efficient refrigeration can reduce energy consumption, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize the environmental impact associated with cooling systems. Climate Resilience: In regions prone to high temperatures and climatic variability, refrigeration becomes essential for preserving food and maintaining the quality of goods. It helps communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change by reducing losses and ensuring a stable supply of essential products. Household Equality & Improved Quality of Life: Refrigeration has improved living standards and household productivity. Refrigeration contributes to improved living standards by providing access to fresh and safe food, supporting health and hygiene, and creating more comfortable living and working environments through air conditioning. SME (Small Medium Enterprise) Growth: Refrigeration is essential in various industries, including manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical processing. It is used in processes that require precise temperature control, contributing to the quality and consistency of products. In commercial settings, refrigeration is fundamental to the operation of supermarkets, restaurants, and other businesses that handle perishable goods. Supply Chain and Trade: Refrigeration facilitates global trade by enabling the transportation of perishable goods over long distances. This is particularly important for international trade in food products, pharmaceuticals, and other temperature-sensitive commodities. Developing energy-efficient refrigeration systems can contribute to addressing energy challenges in many African countries. Access to reliable and sustainable energy sources for refrigeration can improve overall energy efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of cooling systems. Why the EasyFreeze, Solar-Powered Refrigerator Is Good for Development in Emerging Markets Read the Efficiency for Access Innovation Report in collaboration with the IKEA Foundation and UK Aid about how Amped Innovation has developed an affordable, high-performance, solar-powered fridge/freezer for Africa.