SunBeam: Build consumer trust by providing comprehensive energy usage information
Summary
Cut through the green tape
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Details
Deep dive
Main Features
Information to Manage Consumption: Via the SunBeam app or SMS, consumers are provided with a wealth of information about their account. Consumers under a pre-paid plan (who pay upfront for their energy using energy credits) receive an alert on their mobile phone when their credit balance is low and they need to top up or when their meter has been turned off because they have used up all their credit. Post-paid users (who pay a daily, weekly, or monthly bill) similarly are notified when their energy consumption reaches a certain threshold. Customers are thereby empowered to manage their energy use, avoiding large bills and sudden outages.
Data Visualization: Users of the SunBeam app can view graphical representations of energy flow and system metrics, making it easier to spot trends and anomalies. This is a particularly useful feature for data-curious consumers who want to carry out their own in-depth analysis. The ready availability of these information also eases and quickens the resolution of consumer queries by the consumer service team.
Easy Mobile Access: As all information is displayed on the SunBeam app, customers can choose not to have a customer interface unit (CIU) device installed along with their meter. All information is accessible at any time or location with internet access. Consumers without smartphones can also manage their account through SMS.
Target Users
Residential Users: Individuals and households in StemaCo's traget markets in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Groups: Local community groups and cooperatives providing electricity to their members, primarily in rural and underserved areas.
Commercial Users: Private businesses and organizations, especially micro- and small-scale industrial or commercial enterprises relying on mini-grid or off-grid power systems.
Pricing
SteamaCo does not publicly disclose detailed pricing or subscription plans for the SunBeam app. The pricing for SunBeam would typically depend on several factors under any of the following forms:
Subscription Model: Usually, SunBeam operates on a subscription basis, where clients pay a recurring fee for access to the platform and its services.
Tiered Plans: There may be tiered plans based on the scale and complexity of the deployment, allowing clients to choose a plan that best fits their needs and budget.
Custom Quotes: For most clients, especially larger deployments or those with specific requirements, SteamaCo typically provides custom quotes after understanding the client’s needs and conducting an initial assessment.
Market Outlook
Given the high cost of connecting remote communities to national grids, mini- and off grid systems are increasingly being deployed to address the power supply challenge across Africa, where SteamaCo is most active. With smart metering being rolled out across the continent and smartphones becoming more widely available, the use of mobile apps like SunBeam that facilitate the monitoring of energy consumption is likely to grow.
There are, however, emerging risks to bear in mind. Smart grids and their associated technologies including mobile apps collect vast amounts of data on, for example, energy usage patterns and billing details of consumers. In the transition towards digitally connected energy systems, risks related to data breaches, privacy violation, and mobile app hacking are to be borne in mind.
