SOLUTIONS

Project Kourant’s solution builds on proven success. With 360 solar-powered streetlights already installed and 240 more ready for deployment, we’ve seen immediate improvements in community safety, job creation, and local economic activity. Now, we expand that impact through a thoughtful, scalable energy approach. This section highlights how solar-powered streetlighting continues to transform public spaces while detailing the decision to utilize DC solar power, an efficient, cost-effective solution designed to meet Mbandaka’s unique energy needs and maximize long-term reliability.

SOLAR STREET LIGHTS

LIGHTING THE ROAD AHEAD

We have already installed 360 solar-powered streetlights across Mbandaka, with an additional 240 units in inventory ready for deployment. These lights have significantly increased community security, especially at night, while creating local jobs through installation and maintenance. The improved lighting has also supported longer business hours and boosted local economic activity by making public spaces safer and more accessible.

Golden graphic of a flower with a rake as the stem and two trowels as the leaves
A gold outline of a lightbulb with the word "LED" inside.

Remote Controllable Street Lights feature three lighting modes, PIR motion sensors, and all-weather capability

80 Watt LED Lights (5500-6500K), 55.000 hour lifespan, 8.000 Lumens

Gold outline icon of solar panel with sun in the background.
Outline icon of a battery with a lightning bolt and a clock, indicating charging or time-related battery status.

Powered by 172.3 Watt Solar Panels, 9 hour charging time in bright sunlight

150 AH (LiFEP04) LI-ion Phosphate Battery

DC SOLAR POWER GRID

SHARING SAFE POWER

At the core of our technology solution is a first-of-its-kind, Direct Current (DC)-to-DC solar energy transmission.

Why DC > AC?

Solar panels naturally generate DC electricity when they convert sunlight into energy. Utilizing a DC-coupled solution mitigates the need to convert DC power into AC. In partnership with the Equateur Provence via the USTDA agreement, our proprietary “straight to DC” technology bypasses the traditional AC-to-DC process, called conversion, which can cause power efficiency losses. The result: ⁠less time charging, more connections, and a greater ability to share and transfer power.

TRADITIONAL PROCESS

MORE CONVERSIONS = LOWER EFFICIENCY = LESS ENERGY

Diagram of a photovoltaic solar power system showing sunlight hitting a solar panel, which connects to a PV inverter, then to various components including an inverter, battery, and household energy connection.

AC-COUPLED SOLUTION = 3 CONVERSIONS

PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY

LESS CONVERSIONS = HIGHER EFFICIENCY = MORE ENERGY

Diagram showing a solar energy system with solar panels capturing sunlight, connected via a battery to an energy hub, which distributes power as direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) to a household.

DC-COUPLED SOLUTION = 1 CONVERSION

timeline + financials

the timeline

  • Gold outline of a hand holding a dollar coin, with US dollar symbol, and the word 'July' in white below.

    FUNDING
    - Crowdfunding campaign
    - ANSER funding secured

    STREETLIGHTS
    - Shipped from Kinshasha to Mbandaka
    - Transport, approx. 2 weeks

  • Icon of a streetlamp with three lamps resembling tulips and the word August written below

    STREETLIGHTS
    - Arrive in Mbandaka
    - Installation, approx. 1 month

    SOLAR GRIDS
    - Shipped from China
    - Shipping takes approx. 2 months

  • Graphic of a document with a pen and a rising graph, with the text 'September' below, indicating September.

    SOLAR GRIDS
    - In shipment

    LOGISTICS
    - Permit acquisition
    - Site preparation
    - Customer contracts implemented
    - Hire and train local staff to install, operate, and maintain equipment and technology

  • Icon of a person speaking at a podium with microphones, above the word October, on a black background.

    SOLAR GRIDS
    - Equipment clears customs in Kinshasa, approx. 2 weeks

    LOGISTICS
    - Visit by President Tshisekedi
    - US Embassy engaged to boost international visibility
    - International team arrives for training

  • illustration of solar panel and sun with the word November below

    SOLAR GRIDS
    - Grids shipped to Mbandaka, approx. 2 week
    - Grid installation begins upon arrival and site readiness complete

    LOGISTICS
    - PR team on-site to document, interview, and report

  • A graphic of a lightbulb with rays radiating from it above the text "ONGOING" on a black background.

    LOGISTICS
    - Operate and monitor energy consumption for a minimum of one month after installation for homes and businesses separately

  • A solar panel installed on a wooden stand in a rural village, with people and simple structures in the background.

Fingerprint styled to resemble the shape of the African continent.

REGIONAL EXPANSION

Project Kourant’s 2MW Phase One will demonstrate the viability of decentralized solar energy in Mbandaka and lay the groundwork for future expansion across the region. This initial deployment is a strategic first step toward delivering 35MW of clean, reliable power to underserved communities throughout Équateur Province. Our investment has the potential to reshape the region—providing sustainable energy access, creating local jobs, and fostering a resilient economic environment where small businesses and emerging industries can grow and thrive.

the FINANCIALS

Project Kourant respectfully requests $2 million in funding support to implement Phase One of a 35MW solar electrification project in Mbandaka, Equateur Province. This first phase will deploy 5MW of solar energy through decentralized DC microgrids and accompanying infrastructure, including the installation of 240 solar-powered streetlights currently warehoused in Kinshasa.

The total cost of the full 35MW project is estimated at $6.5 million, designed to be implemented in phases to align with financing and logistics. Phase One, with a total cost of $2 million, is shovel-ready and will deliver immediate impact by improving public safety, supporting local commerce, and providing reliable, sustainable power access for thousands of residents.

The Phase One budget of $2 million includes:

  • Procurement and transport of solar grid equipment

  • Streetlight deployment and installation

  • Local labor and technical training

  • Logistics, customs clearance, and site preparation

  • Contingency and project management

AEG DRC will leverage this investment, along with crowd funding efforts in the US, to attract additional partners and funding for subsequent phases, accelerating Mbandaka’s transition to clean, decentralized energy.

Pie chart titled 'Phase One Capex Breakdown' showing percentages for Businesses at 70%, Households at 20%, and Streetlights at 10%, with icons representing each category.