SunSawang: Sustainable Solar Energy for Off-Grid Communities
- yanabijoor
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
SunSawang, a greentech social enterprise founded by Salinee Tavaranan in 2021, is transforming lives in the Myanmar-Thailand border area by providing renewable solar energy access to off-grid rural communities. With its headquarters in Tak province, it addresses energy poverty and sustainably empowers locals.
What is the problem?
SunSawang addresses the electricity shortage in rural, forest villages off the national grid, where homes must use expensive, unhealthy kerosene or candles. More than 80% of solar systems installed by the government in 2004 collapsed because of poor maintenance, depriving the communities of continuous power.
What is the solution?
SunSawang offers home systems, lanterns, and lighting system maintenance fee-for-service. Low down payments (6-36 months) and five-year service plans reduce the cost of solar energy. Local people are hired and trained to sell, install, and service products, ensuring extended performance.
Why is SunSawang innovative?
The model is affordable, sustainable, and community-empowering. By retrofitting existing solar installations, providing maintenance, and using local labor, SunSawang reduces costs and builds trust. Its gender-balanced leadership and finance scalability focus set it apart in addressing rural energy poverty.
What is its impact?
SunSawang has illuminated over 600 homes, 50 schools, and childcare facilities in Thailand and 200 medical clinics and schools in Myanmar. This has added evening hours, safety, education, and power to medical equipment. Customers’ income from evening productivity has increased by 25%, and employment has stimulated local economies.
What needs to be improved?
SunSawang faces the rapid evolution of solar technology and the lack of a recycling policy for panels and batteries in Thailand. Raising additional funds is crucial to scaling up operations and reaching more homes. Spreading more lower-cost product lines and addressing cross-border logistics for Myanmar would enhance accessibility.
SunSawang's groundbreaking energy access model leads to sustainable change among off-grid communities in accordance with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By simplifying its technological and funding models, SunSawang can further increase its transformative capability throughout the region.
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