Sun Exchange Blog


Join the #SmileforSolar Competition and Win Big!

Published: 21 Sep 2023
Are you ready to spread the joy of clean energy while snagging a chance to win up to $500 worth of solar cells? The Sun Exchange #SmileforSolar competition is here to make it happen, and it all kicks off on World Zero Emissions Day. Get your cameras ready and your smiles brighter than ever because this is your time to shine.

Bitcoin investor funds Pretoria Boys High solar project

Published: 29 Aug 2023
We’re thrilled to announce that a crypto investor has used bitcoin to buy 98% of all the solar cells in the Pretoria Boys High solar project!

Unleashing the power of social entrepreneurship through Sun Exchange

Published: 04 Aug 2023
In this blog, we’ll dive into the world of social entrepreneurship, exploring why it is important and its characteristics. We’ll wrap up with a look at what we believe to be one of the most direct ways to be a social entrepreneur – using Sun Exchange to provide power to solar projects at high-impact organisations in South Africa.

CVE backs sustainable energy for education with Sun Exchange HTS Drostdy solar project

Published: 25 Jul 2023
We’re delighted to announce that the international renewable energy leader and independent power producer (IPP), CVE South Africa (www.cvegroup.com) has fully funded a large solar-plus-battery project that will power High Technical School (HTS) Drostdy, one of South Africa’s oldest and largest technical high schools.

Your Impact: Eight Years in the Making

Published: 21 Jun 2023
Happy Solstice! Today is the Winter Solstice here in South Africa, the shortest day of the year. For the next 6 months, our days will get longer and members of Sun Exchange will earn more income per month from their solar cells.

Why we’re trialling our first impact only project

Published: 21 Apr 2023
Sun Exchange recently launched a project that allows members to significantly deepen the socio-economic impact of their solar cells. By purchasing solar cells in the crowdsale for Buhle Farmers’ Academy, our first impact only (zero IRR) project, your solar-powered earnings effectively go to the nonprofit in order to maximise electricity cost savings (40-70%), boosting their ability to advance food security, better livelihoods and reduced poverty in South Africa.

Wrapping up and looking back: 2022 at Sun Exchange

Published: 15 Dec 2022
And just like that, 2022 is almost a wrap. It’s been a busy end of the year for Sun Exchange and time has flown. Amid the buzz and excitement, it’s important to slow down, step back and reflect on the impact and progress that you, the global Sun Exchange community, have made possible.

Cars.co.za boosts sustainability with Sun Exchange Karoo Fresh off-grid solar project

Published: 04 Oct 2022

Sunex Diary #53

Published: 18 Apr 2022
Here it is! The 53rd Sunex Diaries! Catch up with Abe talking all things Sun Exchange

New wallet feature makes buying solar cells easier

Published: 05 Apr 2022
Going forward, you will be able to deposit funds into your Sun Exchange cash (ZAR) and Bitcoin wallets to spend on solar cells.

Sun Exchange solar-plus-storage project for Nhimbe Fresh goes live

Published: 19 Jan 2022
The landmark solar-plus-storage project to power Nhimbe Fresh is now generating electricity, enabling the farm to reduce costs and carbon emissions and increase output with affordable, reliable, consistent clean energy.

Sun Exchange Video Diary #51

Published: 26 Oct 2021
Our 51st Sun Exchange Video Diary has landed. In this episode, we talk about COP26, the latest crowdsale updates and much much more!

July 2021 Community Call - Solar 101

Published: 03 Aug 2021
We focused this Sun Exchange Community Call on providing an introduction and overview of solar power -- namely, Solar 101.

Sun Exchange community call - Impact

Published: 31 May 2021
For this community call, Sun Exchange focused on exploring the positive impact the Sun Exchange community are having on the planet. Our company vision is for everyone in the world to own enough solar cells to offset their carbon footprint.

Sun Exchange Video Diary #49

Published: 08 Apr 2021
Now being released on a quarterly basis, these video blogs take you behind the scenes of Sun Exchange, giving you the latest on solar cell installations, community energy production, industry news and much more!

SUNEX DIARIES #48

Published: 14 Dec 2020
Our final Sun Exchange Video Diary is here! 2020 provided us with the opportunity to reassess what matters most. In this episode, Abe talks about what we want as a path forward, both for ourselves and for the world.

Sun Exchange Announces African Expansion with 1.9MW Solar-Plus-Storage Project for Nhimbe Fresh

Published: 09 Nov 2020
Following the close of our $4 million Series A funding round in June, momentum continues with Sun Exchange’s expansion into sub-Saharan Africa and a landmark solar-plus-storage project. This multiphase project will power Nhimbe Fresh, an agriculture leader in Marondera, Zimbabwe. The crowdsale for phase 1 is now open!

SUNEX DIARY #46

Published: 23 Sep 2020
Episode 46 of Sun Exchange Video Diaries has landed! These video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, giving you the latest on solar cell installations, community energy production, industry news and much more!

Renewable Energy: The Silent Revolution

Published: 06 Sep 2020
Wind and solar energy are at the forefront of a silent revolution playing out in the global energy sector. While wind and solar energy generation now account for ten percent of global electricity production, the rise of energy alternatives is even more encouraging on a country level where there is a noticeable move to replace fossil fuels with sustainable sources, particularly in emerging markets. We caught up with our founder & CEO - Abe Cambridge - to shed some light on the future of solar energy

SUNEX Diary #45

Published: 20 Aug 2020
Episode 45 of Sun Exchange Video Diaries has landed! These video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, giving you the latest on solar cell installations, community energy production, industry news and much more!

Meet the Team: Carter Kirilenko, Marketing Strategist

Published: 16 Jul 2020
This is part of a series that we’re running to bring you closer to the people who make up Sun Exchange. A passionate and motivated team work behind the scenes to allow you to monetise sunshine.

5 Reasons to Buy Solar Cells in the Boland Wine Cellar Crowdsale Project

Published: 13 Jul 2020
Buy cells in the solar crowdsale for the award-winning Boland Wine Cellar. Here are 5 reasons to get involved now!

Sun Exchange Secures $3 Million (ZAR 50 Million) Investment from ARCH’s Africa Renewable Power Fund

Published: 09 Jun 2020
We are thrilled to announce that we have secured a $3 million (~ ZAR 50 million) investment from ARCH Emerging Markets Partners’ Africa Renewable Power Fund (ARPF), marking the close of our $4 million (~ ZAR 67 million) Series-A funding round.

Refund of pledges made to Uprise.Africa Sun Exchange Crowdfunding Campaign

Published: 21 May 2020

Meet the Team: Barrett Jakeman, Community Manager

Published: 11 May 2020
The unflappable Barrett Jakeman’s main role is dealing with customer queries on a day-to-day basis. He has been with Sun Exchange since its infancy, and knows all levels of the business intimately. Barrett works closely with the tech-team to resolve any issues and the feedback the information to Sun Exchange customers.

SUNEX Diary #41

Published: 22 Apr 2020

Meet the team: Saul Wainwright, Chief Financial Officer

Published: 18 Mar 2020

Sun Exchange and the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association collaborate in a long-term funding programme to prevent wildfires

Published: 12 Mar 2020
Sun Exchange is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (goFPA). goFPA works tirelessly throughout the year promoting wildfire educational awareness, wildfire prevention and wildfire suppression in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Like so many places in the world, wildfires in South Africa are becoming more frequent, destroying livelihoods and the natural environment. Organisations like goFPA play an ever important role in helping landowners cope with this ever worsening threat.

SUNEX Diaries #39

Published: 10 Mar 2020
Our latest Sun Exchange Video Diary is here! These video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, and get the latest on installation progress of your cells, current and future projects and solar industry news highlights.

Member Survey Results 2019

Published: 30 Jan 2020
Our 2019 member survey results have now been analyzed! Sun Exchange is a platform led by feedback from our community, so we’re very grateful for the feedback that was submitted. Here are the results from the 500+ responses that will now guide our efforts into 2020...

Review of 2019

Published: 14 Jan 2020
In this first blog post of the year, we’re going to look back on what the Sun Exchange community achieved in 2019 and take a peek at what’s in store for 2020. Before we do that, if you haven't seen it, our final SUNEX video diary episode for 2019, presented by our CEO, Abe Cambridge, provides a month-by-month overview of major developments at Sun Exchange, and of the global solar energy market.

Meet the Team: Stevehne Dzon, Solar Engineer

Published: 10 Dec 2019
Steve heads up our solar plant monitoring and energy production analysis.Because each project is unique, Steve plays an integral role in ensuring that projects are viable and maintain the forecasted electricity production.

Wynberg Girls’ Schools Celebrate Women’s Month by Going Solar

Published: 22 Aug 2019
August is Women’s Month in South Africa, and we couldn’t be more excited to announce that our latest solar crowdsales will power education for future women leaders.

In Their Words: Decarbonising Education and Inspiring Future Climate Leaders

Published: 26 Apr 2019
This week, the ninth Sun Exchange solar project, a 73.26 kW system, made up of 15,984 solar cells to power Wynberg Boys High School (WBHS) in Cape Town, sold out, staggeringly, in just over 3 hours. One hundred and seventy five Sun Exchange members across 20 countries made this project happen.

First Western Cape School Goes Solar Through Sun Exchange (Crowd Sale Now Open!)

Published: 10 Apr 2019
The crowd sale for the Protea Heights Academy solar project is now live! This is an exciting opportunity to solar power the solar generation.

Sun Exchange & Decentral Energy Take South Africa’s Solar Revolution To the Next Level

Published: 19 Feb 2019
Through Sun Exchange’s new partnership with Decentral Energy, we can take on much larger solar projects than ever before. This means we’re accelerating our ability to scale and drive the global solar revolution, and streaming even more monetised sunshine into our members’ digital wallets.

Sacred Heart College is LIVE!

Published: 29 Jan 2019
It wasn’t long ago - in September 2018, in fact - that we announced the start of a 117.5 kW project at Sacred Heart College, in Johannesburg. This school is famous for the fact that it became multi-racial in 1976, in defiance of the Apartheid Government’s racist Bantu Education policies.

Getting to know the team: Thavenesh Reddy

Published: 21 Jan 2019
Thavenesh Reddy is Sun Exchange’s Senior Software Developer. He joined the company in September 2017, forming part of the technical team which builds the platform that Sun Exchange members use.

The Business Case for Going Solar Through Sun Exchange

Published: 11 Jan 2019
Schools and businesses in South Africa can now get solar installed for free, save on their electricity bills over the lifetime of the installation, and reduce pressure on the national grid - without spending any money upfront.

Sun Exchange Heads to Asia Blockchain Week

Published: 22 Nov 2018
Sun Exchange is a Diamond Sponsor at the conference and our CEO and founder, Abe Cambridge, will deliver a keynote on his vision for how solar energy and blockchain technology combined can power a new global economy of abundance that will benefit all humanity.

Equity Investment from Alphabit Fund

Published: 11 Oct 2018
We are proud to announce that we have received a $500,000 seed investment from Alphabit (www.alphabit.fund), a multi-million-dollar hedge fund. The investment highlights Alphabit’s support of the Sun Exchange vision of creating a thriving, inclusive and decentralized, global solar-powered economy.

Shining A Profitable Light On Plastics

Published: 29 May 2018
Cape Town, South Africa – 29 MAY, 2018 – Sun Exchange (www.thesunexchange.com), the global buy-to-lease solar marketplace, today announced the crowd-sale is now open for a new 473kW solar project to power Cape Town-based post-consumer recycled plastics (rPET) bottles manufacturer, Nioro Plastics.

Sun Exchange Raises $1.6 Million Seed Investment to Catalyse Global Shift to Solar Power*

Published: 19 Oct 2017
Sun Exchange has raised $1.6 million in seed financing from several strategic partners to accelerate global access to solar power. Our new partners include Network Society Ventures (New York City), Kalon Venture Partners (Johannesburg, South Africa) and three of the world's leading technology accelerators, BoostVC (San Francisco Bay Area), Techstars (Boulder, Colorado) and Powerhouse (Oakland, California).

The Silicon Based Economy - financing solar cells with Bitcoin

Published: 28 Jan 2017
Does Bitcoin hold the key to sustainable development in Africa… and the planet?

Hold tight for the big switch over!

Published: 16 Oct 2016
Off the back of The Sun Exchange winning the Best Bitcoin/Blockchain in Africa 2016 Award at the African Fintech awards in South Africa last week, I thought it fine time to give all of our followers an update.

South Africa's first ever crowd-funded solar plant now ready to install!

Published: 09 Jun 2016
We have made history! All users of The Sun Exchange have just made history by collectively financing a solar plant in South Africa. Although crowd-funding in Europe is very common, this is the first time such a solution has EVER been deployed in South Africa.

WE ARE ROLLING

Published: 03 Feb 2016
Hi all, Just a quick update to let you know how things are progressing since our Indiegogo campaign ended. We did enjoy a nice xmas break but now fully back up to steam and very excited about what is coming up in 2016.

Absa Bank partners with Sun Exchange to solar power Bizweni Campus

Published: 05 Sep 2023
We’re thrilled to announce that Absa, one of South Africa's largest financial services groups, has joined forces with its employees and Sun Exchange to fund a solar-with-battery system for Bizweni Campus, a non-profit organisation in South Africa that offers essential services to children and adults with disabilities.

Powering clean progress: The state of renewable energy investment in 2023

Published: 21 Aug 2023
Watch the news and you'd be forgiven for feeling worried about the long-foreseen climate change-related disasters being reported on currently – from fires and floods, to melting glaciers and global air and sea surface temperature increases.

Sun Exchange Welcomes Saul Wainwright as CEO

Published: 01 Aug 2023
Sun Exchange CFO, Saul Wainwright, appointed as CEO

How to avoid CO2 and cut your flight costs using Sun Exchange

Published: 24 Jul 2023
In this blog, I won’t tell you not to fly. I’m not here to flight-shame you. As the son of an airline pilot, an expat living in South Africa with family dotted all over the globe, and someone who has conducted business on all corners of the planet, I am one of the last people that should be preaching flight avoidance. I am, for better or worse, a semi-frequent flyer. I also studied climate science to a master's degree level and founded this platform, Sun Exchange for ‘reluctant polluters’ like me. It allows us to own remotely located solar cells in order to earn from generating clean energy from the comfort of home.

Our impact: Solar energy for elderly care exceeds forecasts

Published: 11 May 2023
We’ve crunched the numbers on our community’s impact on elderly care and we hope you will be proud and inspired about the power of the collective and what we've already achieved together!

Why solar carport projects are so cool (literally!)

Published: 22 Feb 2023
Over a thousand Sun Exchange members have bought solar cells that will provide clean energy for families in two apartment blocks in Cape Town, in a unique carport solar project. The solar panels will be mounted on the ground as a canopy for cars to park underneath, providing numerous benefits such as preserving green spaces and increasing solar panel performance. This is the first Sun Exchange solar project to utilise a carport solar structure.

Sun Exchange appoints Martin Webb as Chief Executive Officer

Published: 06 Dec 2022
Energy industry veteran, Martin Webb, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Sun Exchange.

Our Birthday Wishes for Future Generations

Published: 29 Jun 2022
Every day, the people who make up Sun Exchange come together from across all walks of life, working tirelessly to continuously build, grow and the Sun Exchange

Earth Month giveaway: Win Sunshine in your wallet for 20 years!

Published: 06 Apr 2022
This is your chance to win up to 100 solar cells in our Karoo Fresh solar + storage project, and have solar-powered money streamed into your (digital) wallet every single month for the next 20 years!

Watch our Future Generations film

Published: 03 Feb 2022
Sun Exchange has been featured in the Humanising Energy series produced by BBC StoryWorks and presented by World Energy Council. Explore how our community-driven solar solution is harnessing affordable clean energy to ensure a healthy climate for future generations.

2021: How you let the sunshine in

Published: 13 Dec 2021
Our final Sunex Dairy of 2021 is here!

Sun Exchange Secures $2.5 Million Convertible Note Financing

Published: 29 Sep 2021
Sun Exchange has secured $2.5 million in the form of a convertible note from ARCH Emerging Markets Partners Limited’s Africa Renewable Power Fund (ARPF).

Sun Exchange Video Diary #50

Published: 07 Jul 2021
Our 50th Sun Exchange video diary has landed. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of project Nhimbe Fresh.

#EarthDay community call with African Parks

Published: 25 Apr 2021
In honour of the Earth Day 2021 theme, Restore our Earth, Sun Exchange hosted a special edition Sun Exchange community call, featuring an inspiring chat with Andrea Heydlauff, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of our latest charity partner, African Parks.

Burning Mars | 1.4 TW | Playa, Mars

Published: 31 Mar 2021
Solar power Burning Mars 2026. This is the first Sun Exchange solar plant to bring clean and effective solar energy to another celestial body. Let’s kickstart the green energy revolution on the red planet.

#GivingTuesday: Make a Solar Powered Donation to African Parks

Published: 30 Nov 2020
Want to make an impact on #GivingTuesday? Buy cells to power Nhimbe Fresh, and make a solar powered donation to African Parks

SUNEX DIARIES #47

Published: 28 Oct 2020
Episode 47 of Sun Exchange Video Diaries has landed! Get behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, where you'll see the latest updates on solar cell installations, industry news and much much more!

Three Month Project Update: Westville Veterinary Hospital

Published: 22 Sep 2020
The solar cells at Westville Veterinary Hospital have now generated energy for three months and it is exciting to see the success of the solar project!

This Carbon-Based Super Material Could Change the Energy Storage Game

Published: 27 Aug 2020
According to S&P Global, lithium supply is projected to triple by 2025 but observers wonder if it will be enough to meet the demand as EV production ramps up. Even though the alkali metal commonly used in batteries is in high demand for the medium term, investors don’t seem as thrilled about lithium’s future beyond 2025.

When we Connect the World to the Sun, Every Day Becomes about Equality and Conservation

Published: 31 Jul 2020
On the heels of Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) and with World Nature Conservation Day (28 July), the Sun Exchange team has thought much about the significance of these holidays and observances. They provide an important reminder to pause our busy lives and connect with and serve our fellow humans and the planet we live on.

SUNEX Diary #44

Published: 16 Jul 2020
Episode 44 of Sun Exchange Video Diaries has landed! These video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, giving you the latest on solar cell installations, community energy production, industry news and much more!

SUNEX Diary #43

Published: 10 Jun 2020
The 43rd Sun Exchange Video Diary is here! These video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, giving you the latest on community energy production, solar industry news, crowdsale updates, installation progress of your cells and more!

Meet the Team: Lisa Lyhne, Managing Director

Published: 08 Jun 2020
This is part of a series that we’re running to bring you closer to the people who make up Sun Exchange. A passionate and motivated team work behind the scenes to allow you to monetise sunshine.

SUNEX Diary #42

Published: 12 May 2020

Meet the Team: Lourens Coetzer, Chief Technology Officer

Published: 22 Apr 2020
Lourens is the mastermind behind the software that powers Sun Exchange. As CTO, Lourens leads technical decision-making and oversees the overall architecture and internal robustness of the software. He has more than 20 years of diverse experience in software architecture and development, and has significant expertise in blockchain.

SUNEX Diary #40

Published: 26 Mar 2020
Get the latest on all things Sun Exchange with our latest Video Diary, episode #40. The first to be filmed under quarantine! These quick video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, giving you crowdsale updates, installation progress reports, solar industry news...... and more!

An important message to our Sun Exchange community regarding COVID-19

Published: 17 Mar 2020
The Sun Exchange was built around a core belief that great things are possible when people across the world come together for a common purpose. In light of the growing threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s more important than ever that people, businesses, and governments, across sectors and borders, unite in support of the greater good and behave responsibly. With this in mind, I wanted to connect with you, our global community, to let you know what steps we are taking in response to this developing crisis.

Meet the Team: John Wallace, Chief Commercial Officer

Published: 10 Mar 2020
John Wallace leads Sun Exchange solar project sales, continuously identifying and engaging with prospective electricity off-takers to maintain a well-supplied pipeline of solar projects. He also plays a role in investor relations, financial management and business partnerships.

SUNEX Diaries #38

Published: 31 Jan 2020
Our first SUNEX diary of the year is here! These videos get you behind the scenes of Sun Exchange and give you a closer look at what we’re up to and what’s to come!

Meet the team: Liam Kelly, Director of Marketing

Published: 30 Jan 2020
Liam is responsible for driving efforts to promote Sun Exchange across marketing channels. He leverages many dynamic mediums including video and photography to tell the stories of the people whom Sun Exchange impacts, and ensure we’re continually engaging with and growing the global community of 10,000+ Sun Exchange members.

Sun Exchange and Invictus Capital Partnership Will Speed Up Crowdsale Completions

Published: 11 Dec 2019
The agreement with Invictus Capital’s Emerging Markets Solar Fund (EMS), will see the company purchasing up to ±30% of remaining solar cells during the final phase of Sun Exchange’s solar cell crowdsales. This will allow Sun Exchange to speed up crowdsale completions, so that members can start earning from solar more quickly.

Five ways you can build wealth while having a positive effect on the planet

Published: 21 Nov 2019
People are experiencing first-hand the harsh reality of how mounting global challenges, such as ongoing droughts, migration linked to climate change and increases in climate-related disasters, can destabilise and even destroy societies and economies.

Upcoming Sun Exchange Solar Project - Senior Citizens Go Solar

Published: 01 Jun 2019
The next Sun Exchange crowdsale, set to go live Tuesday, 4 June, will help solar power Welverdiend Retirement Resort in Cape Town, South Africa. This 94.6kW project will reduce costs of living for retired South Africans.

#EarthDay 2019: Going Solar To Protect Our Wildlife

Published: 18 Apr 2019
Human activity is causing the widespread disappearance of the Earth’s wildlife diversity at the most rapid rate since the dinosaurs disappeared 60 million years ago. By driving in the global transition to clean power, the solar community already plays an important role in conservation. However, in order to remain as defenders of wildlife and environmental sustainability, we must take a conscientious and smart approach to the growth of solar.

How Businesses Can Lead South Africa’s Energy Transformation

Published: 23 Mar 2019
With Sun Exchange, businesses have an unprecedented opportunity to go solar and lead South Africa’s much-needed energy transformation.

Sun Exchange Investor Event FAQs

Published: 15 Feb 2019
At the Sun Exchange Investor Showcase last week last week, we had an inspiring conversation with a packed room of individuals passionate about energy transformation, eager to learn more about Sun Exchange. If you missed it, here is a recap of the hot topics we discussed.

Getting to know the team: Barrett Jakeman

Published: 29 Jan 2019
Barrett Jakeman joined Sun Exchange in March 2018 as Community Manager. He’s passionate about blockchain technology and optimistic about the future of cryptocurrency and renewable energy.

Getting to know the team: Anthony Stonefield

Published: 21 Jan 2019
Anthony Stonefield is Head of Venture Development at Sun Exchange. In his own words, he works more ON the company than IN the company.

Year End Reflections - Sun Exchange in 2018

Published: 28 Dec 2018
With the end of 2018 around the corner, we’d like to take a moment to share our reflections on what the year has held for Sun Exchange.

Sun Exchange Has a New Managing Director

Published: 09 Nov 2018
It’s been a busy few months at Sun Exchange! The team is tirelessly laying the groundwork for 2019, which is set to be a year full of growth and excitement. As part of that effort, we are thrilled to share with you that our very own Lisa Lyhne has been appointed as Managing Director of Sun Exchange.

Sun Exchange and Sacred Heart College Set a New Standard for Sustainable Schooling

Published: 28 Sep 2018
Hello Sun Exchangers! We are very pleased to announce our next project to solar power Sacred Heart College in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Why we use bitcoin.

Published: 23 May 2018
People often ask us why we use bitcoin when it is still an early technology, it uses a lot of energy and the price is volatile. Here's why.

Sun Exchange Wins SDO Global Blockchain Challenge

Published: 20 Jun 2017
On May 29th I pitched the Sun Exchange to an esteemed audience in Dubai as part of the Smart Dubai Office Global Blockchain Challenge that we were invited to attend. We were competing against 20 other businesses from all over the globe working with blockchain technology and we won 1st place and a modest cash prize.

Update on Stellenbosch Waldorf School project

Published: 19 Jan 2017
South Africa's first ever crowd-funded solar plant at the Stellenbosch Waldorf School has now been operating for over four months. So has the solar output met our estimates?

We are now issuing SolarCoins to our project backers

Published: 29 Jul 2016
SolarCoin is digital currency that is being issued to owners of solar power plants around the world. This means that if you contribute funds towards a solar project through The Sun Exchange, you not only will receive your portion of revenue generated by the solar plant, but you are also going to receive a second revenue stream of Solar Coin for the lifespan of the project.

The Potential of Solar Energy for the Digital Currency Industry

Published: 30 Mar 2016
You may of seen on our Twitter feeds and Facebook page things like 'welcome to the age of the Solar powered money'. We truly mean that. The value of the dollar is to a large degree propped up by oil, aka the petro-dollar. Now, consider that any Bitcoin miner can create digital currency from a computer. Not all digital currency mines are solar powered (for now at least) and they still need to increase in efficiency a great deal.

Solar Tree - A Functional Art Installation

Published: 23 Nov 2015
As part of our ongoing Indiegogo Campaign, we are going to build a fully upcycled fully functioning solar tree to commemorate the start of community-owned solar in South Africa. Our Indiegogo pledgers are to have their names emblazoned on the leaves for passers by to see for evermore!

Join the #SmileforSolar Competition and Win Big!

Published: 21 Sep 2023
Are you ready to spread the joy of clean energy while snagging a chance to win up to $500 worth of solar cells? The Sun Exchange #SmileforSolar competition is here to make it happen, and it all kicks off on World Zero Emissions Day. Get your cameras ready and your smiles brighter than ever because this is your time to shine.

Absa Bank partners with Sun Exchange to solar power Bizweni Campus

Published: 05 Sep 2023
We’re thrilled to announce that Absa, one of South Africa's largest financial services groups, has joined forces with its employees and Sun Exchange to fund a solar-with-battery system for Bizweni Campus, a non-profit organisation in South Africa that offers essential services to children and adults with disabilities.

Bitcoin investor funds Pretoria Boys High solar project

Published: 29 Aug 2023
We’re thrilled to announce that a crypto investor has used bitcoin to buy 98% of all the solar cells in the Pretoria Boys High solar project!

Powering clean progress: The state of renewable energy investment in 2023

Published: 21 Aug 2023
Watch the news and you'd be forgiven for feeling worried about the long-foreseen climate change-related disasters being reported on currently – from fires and floods, to melting glaciers and global air and sea surface temperature increases.

Unleashing the power of social entrepreneurship through Sun Exchange

Published: 04 Aug 2023
In this blog, we’ll dive into the world of social entrepreneurship, exploring why it is important and its characteristics. We’ll wrap up with a look at what we believe to be one of the most direct ways to be a social entrepreneur – using Sun Exchange to provide power to solar projects at high-impact organisations in South Africa.

Sun Exchange Welcomes Saul Wainwright as CEO

Published: 01 Aug 2023
Sun Exchange CFO, Saul Wainwright, appointed as CEO

CVE backs sustainable energy for education with Sun Exchange HTS Drostdy solar project

Published: 25 Jul 2023
We’re delighted to announce that the international renewable energy leader and independent power producer (IPP), CVE South Africa (www.cvegroup.com) has fully funded a large solar-plus-battery project that will power High Technical School (HTS) Drostdy, one of South Africa’s oldest and largest technical high schools.

How to avoid CO2 and cut your flight costs using Sun Exchange

Published: 24 Jul 2023
In this blog, I won’t tell you not to fly. I’m not here to flight-shame you. As the son of an airline pilot, an expat living in South Africa with family dotted all over the globe, and someone who has conducted business on all corners of the planet, I am one of the last people that should be preaching flight avoidance. I am, for better or worse, a semi-frequent flyer. I also studied climate science to a master's degree level and founded this platform, Sun Exchange for ‘reluctant polluters’ like me. It allows us to own remotely located solar cells in order to earn from generating clean energy from the comfort of home.

Your Impact: Eight Years in the Making

Published: 21 Jun 2023
Happy Solstice! Today is the Winter Solstice here in South Africa, the shortest day of the year. For the next 6 months, our days will get longer and members of Sun Exchange will earn more income per month from their solar cells.

Our impact: Solar energy for elderly care exceeds forecasts

Published: 11 May 2023
We’ve crunched the numbers on our community’s impact on elderly care and we hope you will be proud and inspired about the power of the collective and what we've already achieved together!

Why we’re trialling our first impact only project

Published: 21 Apr 2023
Sun Exchange recently launched a project that allows members to significantly deepen the socio-economic impact of their solar cells. By purchasing solar cells in the crowdsale for Buhle Farmers’ Academy, our first impact only (zero IRR) project, your solar-powered earnings effectively go to the nonprofit in order to maximise electricity cost savings (40-70%), boosting their ability to advance food security, better livelihoods and reduced poverty in South Africa.

Why solar carport projects are so cool (literally!)

Published: 22 Feb 2023
Over a thousand Sun Exchange members have bought solar cells that will provide clean energy for families in two apartment blocks in Cape Town, in a unique carport solar project. The solar panels will be mounted on the ground as a canopy for cars to park underneath, providing numerous benefits such as preserving green spaces and increasing solar panel performance. This is the first Sun Exchange solar project to utilise a carport solar structure.

Wrapping up and looking back: 2022 at Sun Exchange

Published: 15 Dec 2022
And just like that, 2022 is almost a wrap. It’s been a busy end of the year for Sun Exchange and time has flown. Amid the buzz and excitement, it’s important to slow down, step back and reflect on the impact and progress that you, the global Sun Exchange community, have made possible.

Sun Exchange appoints Martin Webb as Chief Executive Officer

Published: 06 Dec 2022
Energy industry veteran, Martin Webb, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Sun Exchange.

Cars.co.za boosts sustainability with Sun Exchange Karoo Fresh off-grid solar project

Published: 04 Oct 2022

Our Birthday Wishes for Future Generations

Published: 29 Jun 2022
Every day, the people who make up Sun Exchange come together from across all walks of life, working tirelessly to continuously build, grow and the Sun Exchange

Sunex Diary #53

Published: 18 Apr 2022
Here it is! The 53rd Sunex Diaries! Catch up with Abe talking all things Sun Exchange

Earth Month giveaway: Win Sunshine in your wallet for 20 years!

Published: 06 Apr 2022
This is your chance to win up to 100 solar cells in our Karoo Fresh solar + storage project, and have solar-powered money streamed into your (digital) wallet every single month for the next 20 years!

New wallet feature makes buying solar cells easier

Published: 05 Apr 2022
Going forward, you will be able to deposit funds into your Sun Exchange cash (ZAR) and Bitcoin wallets to spend on solar cells.

Watch our Future Generations film

Published: 03 Feb 2022
Sun Exchange has been featured in the Humanising Energy series produced by BBC StoryWorks and presented by World Energy Council. Explore how our community-driven solar solution is harnessing affordable clean energy to ensure a healthy climate for future generations.

Sun Exchange solar-plus-storage project for Nhimbe Fresh goes live

Published: 19 Jan 2022
The landmark solar-plus-storage project to power Nhimbe Fresh is now generating electricity, enabling the farm to reduce costs and carbon emissions and increase output with affordable, reliable, consistent clean energy.

2021: How you let the sunshine in

Published: 13 Dec 2021
Our final Sunex Dairy of 2021 is here!

Sun Exchange Video Diary #51

Published: 26 Oct 2021
Our 51st Sun Exchange Video Diary has landed. In this episode, we talk about COP26, the latest crowdsale updates and much much more!

Sun Exchange Secures $2.5 Million Convertible Note Financing

Published: 29 Sep 2021
Sun Exchange has secured $2.5 million in the form of a convertible note from ARCH Emerging Markets Partners Limited’s Africa Renewable Power Fund (ARPF).

July 2021 Community Call - Solar 101

Published: 03 Aug 2021
We focused this Sun Exchange Community Call on providing an introduction and overview of solar power -- namely, Solar 101.

Sun Exchange Video Diary #50

Published: 07 Jul 2021
Our 50th Sun Exchange video diary has landed. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of project Nhimbe Fresh.

Sun Exchange community call - Impact

Published: 31 May 2021
For this community call, Sun Exchange focused on exploring the positive impact the Sun Exchange community are having on the planet. Our company vision is for everyone in the world to own enough solar cells to offset their carbon footprint.

#EarthDay community call with African Parks

Published: 25 Apr 2021
In honour of the Earth Day 2021 theme, Restore our Earth, Sun Exchange hosted a special edition Sun Exchange community call, featuring an inspiring chat with Andrea Heydlauff, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer of our latest charity partner, African Parks.

Sun Exchange Video Diary #49

Published: 08 Apr 2021
Now being released on a quarterly basis, these video blogs take you behind the scenes of Sun Exchange, giving you the latest on solar cell installations, community energy production, industry news and much more!

Burning Mars | 1.4 TW | Playa, Mars

Published: 31 Mar 2021
Solar power Burning Mars 2026. This is the first Sun Exchange solar plant to bring clean and effective solar energy to another celestial body. Let’s kickstart the green energy revolution on the red planet.

SUNEX DIARIES #48

Published: 14 Dec 2020
Our final Sun Exchange Video Diary is here! 2020 provided us with the opportunity to reassess what matters most. In this episode, Abe talks about what we want as a path forward, both for ourselves and for the world.

#GivingTuesday: Make a Solar Powered Donation to African Parks

Published: 30 Nov 2020
Want to make an impact on #GivingTuesday? Buy cells to power Nhimbe Fresh, and make a solar powered donation to African Parks

Sun Exchange Announces African Expansion with 1.9MW Solar-Plus-Storage Project for Nhimbe Fresh

Published: 09 Nov 2020
Following the close of our $4 million Series A funding round in June, momentum continues with Sun Exchange’s expansion into sub-Saharan Africa and a landmark solar-plus-storage project. This multiphase project will power Nhimbe Fresh, an agriculture leader in Marondera, Zimbabwe. The crowdsale for phase 1 is now open!

SUNEX DIARIES #47

Published: 28 Oct 2020
Episode 47 of Sun Exchange Video Diaries has landed! Get behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, where you'll see the latest updates on solar cell installations, industry news and much much more!

SUNEX DIARY #46

Published: 23 Sep 2020
Episode 46 of Sun Exchange Video Diaries has landed! These video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, giving you the latest on solar cell installations, community energy production, industry news and much more!

Three Month Project Update: Westville Veterinary Hospital

Published: 22 Sep 2020
The solar cells at Westville Veterinary Hospital have now generated energy for three months and it is exciting to see the success of the solar project!

Renewable Energy: The Silent Revolution

Published: 06 Sep 2020
Wind and solar energy are at the forefront of a silent revolution playing out in the global energy sector. While wind and solar energy generation now account for ten percent of global electricity production, the rise of energy alternatives is even more encouraging on a country level where there is a noticeable move to replace fossil fuels with sustainable sources, particularly in emerging markets. We caught up with our founder & CEO - Abe Cambridge - to shed some light on the future of solar energy

This Carbon-Based Super Material Could Change the Energy Storage Game

Published: 27 Aug 2020
According to S&P Global, lithium supply is projected to triple by 2025 but observers wonder if it will be enough to meet the demand as EV production ramps up. Even though the alkali metal commonly used in batteries is in high demand for the medium term, investors don’t seem as thrilled about lithium’s future beyond 2025.

SUNEX Diary #45

Published: 20 Aug 2020
Episode 45 of Sun Exchange Video Diaries has landed! These video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, giving you the latest on solar cell installations, community energy production, industry news and much more!

When we Connect the World to the Sun, Every Day Becomes about Equality and Conservation

Published: 31 Jul 2020
On the heels of Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) and with World Nature Conservation Day (28 July), the Sun Exchange team has thought much about the significance of these holidays and observances. They provide an important reminder to pause our busy lives and connect with and serve our fellow humans and the planet we live on.

Meet the Team: Carter Kirilenko, Marketing Strategist

Published: 16 Jul 2020
This is part of a series that we’re running to bring you closer to the people who make up Sun Exchange. A passionate and motivated team work behind the scenes to allow you to monetise sunshine.

SUNEX Diary #44

Published: 16 Jul 2020
Episode 44 of Sun Exchange Video Diaries has landed! These video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, giving you the latest on solar cell installations, community energy production, industry news and much more!

5 Reasons to Buy Solar Cells in the Boland Wine Cellar Crowdsale Project

Published: 13 Jul 2020
Buy cells in the solar crowdsale for the award-winning Boland Wine Cellar. Here are 5 reasons to get involved now!

SUNEX Diary #43

Published: 10 Jun 2020
The 43rd Sun Exchange Video Diary is here! These video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, giving you the latest on community energy production, solar industry news, crowdsale updates, installation progress of your cells and more!

Sun Exchange Secures $3 Million (ZAR 50 Million) Investment from ARCH’s Africa Renewable Power Fund

Published: 09 Jun 2020
We are thrilled to announce that we have secured a $3 million (~ ZAR 50 million) investment from ARCH Emerging Markets Partners’ Africa Renewable Power Fund (ARPF), marking the close of our $4 million (~ ZAR 67 million) Series-A funding round.

Meet the Team: Lisa Lyhne, Managing Director

Published: 08 Jun 2020
This is part of a series that we’re running to bring you closer to the people who make up Sun Exchange. A passionate and motivated team work behind the scenes to allow you to monetise sunshine.

Refund of pledges made to Uprise.Africa Sun Exchange Crowdfunding Campaign

Published: 21 May 2020

SUNEX Diary #42

Published: 12 May 2020

Meet the Team: Barrett Jakeman, Community Manager

Published: 11 May 2020
The unflappable Barrett Jakeman’s main role is dealing with customer queries on a day-to-day basis. He has been with Sun Exchange since its infancy, and knows all levels of the business intimately. Barrett works closely with the tech-team to resolve any issues and the feedback the information to Sun Exchange customers.

Meet the Team: Lourens Coetzer, Chief Technology Officer

Published: 22 Apr 2020
Lourens is the mastermind behind the software that powers Sun Exchange. As CTO, Lourens leads technical decision-making and oversees the overall architecture and internal robustness of the software. He has more than 20 years of diverse experience in software architecture and development, and has significant expertise in blockchain.

SUNEX Diary #41

Published: 22 Apr 2020

SUNEX Diary #40

Published: 26 Mar 2020
Get the latest on all things Sun Exchange with our latest Video Diary, episode #40. The first to be filmed under quarantine! These quick video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, giving you crowdsale updates, installation progress reports, solar industry news...... and more!

Meet the team: Saul Wainwright, Chief Financial Officer

Published: 18 Mar 2020

An important message to our Sun Exchange community regarding COVID-19

Published: 17 Mar 2020
The Sun Exchange was built around a core belief that great things are possible when people across the world come together for a common purpose. In light of the growing threat of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, it’s more important than ever that people, businesses, and governments, across sectors and borders, unite in support of the greater good and behave responsibly. With this in mind, I wanted to connect with you, our global community, to let you know what steps we are taking in response to this developing crisis.

Sun Exchange and the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association collaborate in a long-term funding programme to prevent wildfires

Published: 12 Mar 2020
Sun Exchange is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Greater Overberg Fire Protection Association (goFPA). goFPA works tirelessly throughout the year promoting wildfire educational awareness, wildfire prevention and wildfire suppression in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Like so many places in the world, wildfires in South Africa are becoming more frequent, destroying livelihoods and the natural environment. Organisations like goFPA play an ever important role in helping landowners cope with this ever worsening threat.

Meet the Team: John Wallace, Chief Commercial Officer

Published: 10 Mar 2020
John Wallace leads Sun Exchange solar project sales, continuously identifying and engaging with prospective electricity off-takers to maintain a well-supplied pipeline of solar projects. He also plays a role in investor relations, financial management and business partnerships.

SUNEX Diaries #39

Published: 10 Mar 2020
Our latest Sun Exchange Video Diary is here! These video blogs get you behind the scenes at Sun Exchange, and get the latest on installation progress of your cells, current and future projects and solar industry news highlights.

SUNEX Diaries #38

Published: 31 Jan 2020
Our first SUNEX diary of the year is here! These videos get you behind the scenes of Sun Exchange and give you a closer look at what we’re up to and what’s to come!

Member Survey Results 2019

Published: 30 Jan 2020
Our 2019 member survey results have now been analyzed! Sun Exchange is a platform led by feedback from our community, so we’re very grateful for the feedback that was submitted. Here are the results from the 500+ responses that will now guide our efforts into 2020...

Meet the team: Liam Kelly, Director of Marketing

Published: 30 Jan 2020
Liam is responsible for driving efforts to promote Sun Exchange across marketing channels. He leverages many dynamic mediums including video and photography to tell the stories of the people whom Sun Exchange impacts, and ensure we’re continually engaging with and growing the global community of 10,000+ Sun Exchange members.

Review of 2019

Published: 14 Jan 2020
In this first blog post of the year, we’re going to look back on what the Sun Exchange community achieved in 2019 and take a peek at what’s in store for 2020. Before we do that, if you haven't seen it, our final SUNEX video diary episode for 2019, presented by our CEO, Abe Cambridge, provides a month-by-month overview of major developments at Sun Exchange, and of the global solar energy market.

Sun Exchange and Invictus Capital Partnership Will Speed Up Crowdsale Completions

Published: 11 Dec 2019
The agreement with Invictus Capital’s Emerging Markets Solar Fund (EMS), will see the company purchasing up to ±30% of remaining solar cells during the final phase of Sun Exchange’s solar cell crowdsales. This will allow Sun Exchange to speed up crowdsale completions, so that members can start earning from solar more quickly.

Meet the Team: Stevehne Dzon, Solar Engineer

Published: 10 Dec 2019
Steve heads up our solar plant monitoring and energy production analysis.Because each project is unique, Steve plays an integral role in ensuring that projects are viable and maintain the forecasted electricity production.

Five ways you can build wealth while having a positive effect on the planet

Published: 21 Nov 2019
People are experiencing first-hand the harsh reality of how mounting global challenges, such as ongoing droughts, migration linked to climate change and increases in climate-related disasters, can destabilise and even destroy societies and economies.

Wynberg Girls’ Schools Celebrate Women’s Month by Going Solar

Published: 22 Aug 2019
August is Women’s Month in South Africa, and we couldn’t be more excited to announce that our latest solar crowdsales will power education for future women leaders.

Upcoming Sun Exchange Solar Project - Senior Citizens Go Solar

Published: 01 Jun 2019
The next Sun Exchange crowdsale, set to go live Tuesday, 4 June, will help solar power Welverdiend Retirement Resort in Cape Town, South Africa. This 94.6kW project will reduce costs of living for retired South Africans.

In Their Words: Decarbonising Education and Inspiring Future Climate Leaders

Published: 26 Apr 2019
This week, the ninth Sun Exchange solar project, a 73.26 kW system, made up of 15,984 solar cells to power Wynberg Boys High School (WBHS) in Cape Town, sold out, staggeringly, in just over 3 hours. One hundred and seventy five Sun Exchange members across 20 countries made this project happen.

#EarthDay 2019: Going Solar To Protect Our Wildlife

Published: 18 Apr 2019
Human activity is causing the widespread disappearance of the Earth’s wildlife diversity at the most rapid rate since the dinosaurs disappeared 60 million years ago. By driving in the global transition to clean power, the solar community already plays an important role in conservation. However, in order to remain as defenders of wildlife and environmental sustainability, we must take a conscientious and smart approach to the growth of solar.

First Western Cape School Goes Solar Through Sun Exchange (Crowd Sale Now Open!)

Published: 10 Apr 2019
The crowd sale for the Protea Heights Academy solar project is now live! This is an exciting opportunity to solar power the solar generation.

How Businesses Can Lead South Africa’s Energy Transformation

Published: 23 Mar 2019
With Sun Exchange, businesses have an unprecedented opportunity to go solar and lead South Africa’s much-needed energy transformation.

Sun Exchange & Decentral Energy Take South Africa’s Solar Revolution To the Next Level

Published: 19 Feb 2019
Through Sun Exchange’s new partnership with Decentral Energy, we can take on much larger solar projects than ever before. This means we’re accelerating our ability to scale and drive the global solar revolution, and streaming even more monetised sunshine into our members’ digital wallets.

Sun Exchange Investor Event FAQs

Published: 15 Feb 2019
At the Sun Exchange Investor Showcase last week last week, we had an inspiring conversation with a packed room of individuals passionate about energy transformation, eager to learn more about Sun Exchange. If you missed it, here is a recap of the hot topics we discussed.

Sacred Heart College is LIVE!

Published: 29 Jan 2019
It wasn’t long ago - in September 2018, in fact - that we announced the start of a 117.5 kW project at Sacred Heart College, in Johannesburg. This school is famous for the fact that it became multi-racial in 1976, in defiance of the Apartheid Government’s racist Bantu Education policies.

Getting to know the team: Barrett Jakeman

Published: 29 Jan 2019
Barrett Jakeman joined Sun Exchange in March 2018 as Community Manager. He’s passionate about blockchain technology and optimistic about the future of cryptocurrency and renewable energy.

Getting to know the team: Thavenesh Reddy

Published: 21 Jan 2019
Thavenesh Reddy is Sun Exchange’s Senior Software Developer. He joined the company in September 2017, forming part of the technical team which builds the platform that Sun Exchange members use.

Getting to know the team: Anthony Stonefield

Published: 21 Jan 2019
Anthony Stonefield is Head of Venture Development at Sun Exchange. In his own words, he works more ON the company than IN the company.

The Business Case for Going Solar Through Sun Exchange

Published: 11 Jan 2019
Schools and businesses in South Africa can now get solar installed for free, save on their electricity bills over the lifetime of the installation, and reduce pressure on the national grid - without spending any money upfront.

Year End Reflections - Sun Exchange in 2018

Published: 28 Dec 2018
With the end of 2018 around the corner, we’d like to take a moment to share our reflections on what the year has held for Sun Exchange.

Sun Exchange Heads to Asia Blockchain Week

Published: 22 Nov 2018
Sun Exchange is a Diamond Sponsor at the conference and our CEO and founder, Abe Cambridge, will deliver a keynote on his vision for how solar energy and blockchain technology combined can power a new global economy of abundance that will benefit all humanity.

Sun Exchange Has a New Managing Director

Published: 09 Nov 2018
It’s been a busy few months at Sun Exchange! The team is tirelessly laying the groundwork for 2019, which is set to be a year full of growth and excitement. As part of that effort, we are thrilled to share with you that our very own Lisa Lyhne has been appointed as Managing Director of Sun Exchange.

Equity Investment from Alphabit Fund

Published: 11 Oct 2018
We are proud to announce that we have received a $500,000 seed investment from Alphabit (www.alphabit.fund), a multi-million-dollar hedge fund. The investment highlights Alphabit’s support of the Sun Exchange vision of creating a thriving, inclusive and decentralized, global solar-powered economy.

Sun Exchange and Sacred Heart College Set a New Standard for Sustainable Schooling

Published: 28 Sep 2018
Hello Sun Exchangers! We are very pleased to announce our next project to solar power Sacred Heart College in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Shining A Profitable Light On Plastics

Published: 29 May 2018
Cape Town, South Africa – 29 MAY, 2018 – Sun Exchange (www.thesunexchange.com), the global buy-to-lease solar marketplace, today announced the crowd-sale is now open for a new 473kW solar project to power Cape Town-based post-consumer recycled plastics (rPET) bottles manufacturer, Nioro Plastics.

Why we use bitcoin.

Published: 23 May 2018
People often ask us why we use bitcoin when it is still an early technology, it uses a lot of energy and the price is volatile. Here's why.

Sun Exchange Raises $1.6 Million Seed Investment to Catalyse Global Shift to Solar Power*

Published: 19 Oct 2017
Sun Exchange has raised $1.6 million in seed financing from several strategic partners to accelerate global access to solar power. Our new partners include Network Society Ventures (New York City), Kalon Venture Partners (Johannesburg, South Africa) and three of the world's leading technology accelerators, BoostVC (San Francisco Bay Area), Techstars (Boulder, Colorado) and Powerhouse (Oakland, California).

Sun Exchange Wins SDO Global Blockchain Challenge

Published: 20 Jun 2017
On May 29th I pitched the Sun Exchange to an esteemed audience in Dubai as part of the Smart Dubai Office Global Blockchain Challenge that we were invited to attend. We were competing against 20 other businesses from all over the globe working with blockchain technology and we won 1st place and a modest cash prize.

The Silicon Based Economy - financing solar cells with Bitcoin

Published: 28 Jan 2017
Does Bitcoin hold the key to sustainable development in Africa… and the planet?

Update on Stellenbosch Waldorf School project

Published: 19 Jan 2017
South Africa's first ever crowd-funded solar plant at the Stellenbosch Waldorf School has now been operating for over four months. So has the solar output met our estimates?

Hold tight for the big switch over!

Published: 16 Oct 2016
Off the back of The Sun Exchange winning the Best Bitcoin/Blockchain in Africa 2016 Award at the African Fintech awards in South Africa last week, I thought it fine time to give all of our followers an update.

We are now issuing SolarCoins to our project backers

Published: 29 Jul 2016
SolarCoin is digital currency that is being issued to owners of solar power plants around the world. This means that if you contribute funds towards a solar project through The Sun Exchange, you not only will receive your portion of revenue generated by the solar plant, but you are also going to receive a second revenue stream of Solar Coin for the lifespan of the project.

South Africa's first ever crowd-funded solar plant now ready to install!

Published: 09 Jun 2016
We have made history! All users of The Sun Exchange have just made history by collectively financing a solar plant in South Africa. Although crowd-funding in Europe is very common, this is the first time such a solution has EVER been deployed in South Africa.

The Potential of Solar Energy for the Digital Currency Industry

Published: 30 Mar 2016
You may of seen on our Twitter feeds and Facebook page things like 'welcome to the age of the Solar powered money'. We truly mean that. The value of the dollar is to a large degree propped up by oil, aka the petro-dollar. Now, consider that any Bitcoin miner can create digital currency from a computer. Not all digital currency mines are solar powered (for now at least) and they still need to increase in efficiency a great deal.

WE ARE ROLLING

Published: 03 Feb 2016
Hi all, Just a quick update to let you know how things are progressing since our Indiegogo campaign ended. We did enjoy a nice xmas break but now fully back up to steam and very excited about what is coming up in 2016.

Solar Tree - A Functional Art Installation

Published: 23 Nov 2015
As part of our ongoing Indiegogo Campaign, we are going to build a fully upcycled fully functioning solar tree to commemorate the start of community-owned solar in South Africa. Our Indiegogo pledgers are to have their names emblazoned on the leaves for passers by to see for evermore!