GreenCape, a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town has partnered with the Solar Impulse Foundation based in Switzerland. Through the International Clean Network (ICN) they will go through the process of choosing 1000 clean and profitable solution that can contribute to protecting the environment. GreenCape will act as the contact point in South Africa in order to assist local cleantech companies to apply to join the Solar Impulse Foundation 1000 Efficient Solutions Label portfolio.
Swiss explorer and psychiatrist Bertrand Piccard founded the Solar Impulse Foundation after his round-the-globe solar flight. He decided to find, select and promote 1000 cleantech solutions that have both positive economic and environmental impacts on the world. Piccard aimed to show the economic opportunities from clean technologies.
It is through the ICN collaboration that GreenCape and the Solar Impulse Foundation have been able to support the development and implementation at scale of clean technologies and encourage decision-makers around the world to adopt impact-oriented environmental regulations and energy policies.
Companies with new cleantech solutions have been encouraged to apply for the #1000Solutions label. Once the solutions have been labelled, the Solar Impulse Foundation provides support on six specific levels, on an international scale:
- better access to market,
- more appeal to financial investors,
- support in advocacy work,
- feedback from industry experts,
- more credibility and
- greater global visibility.
Identifying solutions
Solutions are categorised according to the five following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
- SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 9 Industry Innovation and Infrastructure
- SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
Assessing solutions
Solutions are assessed from a technical and financial standpoint, and in accordance with the following criteria:
- Feasibility (Credibility or Design & Scalability)
- Environment (Environmental Benefits)
- Profitability (Clients’ economic incentive & Seller’s profitability)
Labelled solutions will undergo a rigorous assessment based on a verified methodology and against several criteria performed by external independent experts. Once labelled, solutions join the #1000Solutions portfolio and access exclusive benefits, such as events, business and investment opportunities, and communication support.
GreenCape, a member of the International Cleantech Network, supports the Solar Impulse Foundation’s mission by encouraging cleantech companies in its local ecosystem to submit their solutions to the Solar Impulse Efficient Solution Label. Jarrod Lyons, Investment Promotion Officer at GreenCape, is the local Solution Scouter. Companies that are interested to find out more can get in touch at jarrod[at]greencape.co.za.
Applications can be done directly via the Solar Impulse Foundation website (Please reference International Cleantech Network) – https://solarimpulse.com/efficient-solutions.