The sun may rise in the east, but daylight does not always bring light to East Sumba. In many villages such as Laindeha, Ndapayami, Ndata, and Tanggedu, residents still live in darkness due to the absence of an electricity grid. For nighttime activities, families depend on diesel generators and kerosene lamps, which are not only costly but also harmful to health and the environment.
Witnessing this energy inequality firsthand, Sumba Solusi Alam, a startup based in Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, stepped in with a solution rooted in hope. They developed PowerWells, a solar-powered lighting system made from recycled electronic waste. Through this safe, affordable clean energy innovation, the team aims to bring reliable lighting to more than 2,000 residents of East Sumba by 2026.
Using PowerWells to recharge batteries in Laindeha Village
Sumba Solusi Alam was selected as one of Indonesia’s top 15 startups in the KINETIK NEX Entrepreneurship Program, an initiative by New Energy Nexus Indonesia supported by KINETIK, the Australia–Indonesia Partnership for Climate, Renewable Energy, and Infrastructure. Beyond participating in training and network-building activities, the team advanced to the finals and presented their business plan at Demo Day on 15 November 2025 during the [RE]Spark: Clean Energy & Climate Startup Festival 2025.
In just five minutes on stage, the Sumba Solusi Alam team demonstrated how PowerWells delivers economic, social, and environmental benefits for communities in East Sumba, and how the model can be replicated in other regions of Indonesia. Their presentation convinced the judges, earning them a place among the five startups awarded grants of up to IDR 1.6 billion through the KINETIK NEX program.
More than providing light, PowerWells opens up economic opportunities, improves quality of life, and strengthens the role of women as key actors in rural energy transitions.
“We will use the grant funding to increase capacity and procure production machinery and equipment, so our operations can run effectively and the products we deliver meet high quality standards,” said Jetty Arlenda Maro, Renewable Energy Coordinator at Sumba Solusi Alam. She explained that KINETIK NEX support will be directed toward strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders driving the innovation and improving local production facilities.
These priorities are designed alongside circular economy principles. By repurposing electronic waste into solar lighting components, Sumba Solusi Alam ensures that the production process can be carried out by local workers. Community empowerment is a core part of their strategy to address everyday inequalities faced by people in Sumba.
Daring to begin, expanding the impact
“I gained a lot of knowledge from the experts and felt reassured that innovations from remote areas like Sumba are heard,” Jetty shared during one of the mentoring sessions. “I believe that small ideas from villages can create a big impact for many people.”
Through PowerWells, Sumba Solusi Alam projects four key areas of improvement as access to clean electricity expands:
- Better education
Children can study at night without exposure to kerosene smoke, which can cause respiratory illnesses. - More productive home-based businesses
Women can weave, craft, and run small enterprises into the evening, increasing household income. - Improved family health
Adequate lighting allows mothers, including those caring for infants, to manage nighttime activities more safely and comfortably. - Cost savings
Durable solar lamps eliminate recurring expenses for kerosene or gasoline.
By using electronic waste as the primary material for PowerWells, Sumba Solusi Alam applies environmentally responsible circular economy practices. They also ensure that local workers are involved throughout the production process, allowing the benefits of innovation to flow back into the community.
One of their most impactful business models is the involvement of village women as PowerWells distribution agents. These women earn a 10 percent commission for every unit sold, opening leadership opportunities and generating additional income for rural households.
Sumba Solusi Alam received recognition as a grant recipient of the KINETIK NEX Entrepreneurship Program, represented by Natalie Mandelsohn, Counsellor for Infrastructure and Climate Change at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
When asked what message she would share with others inspired to start community-based clean energy businesses, Jetty offered simple but powerful advice:
“Never be afraid to try or to ask questions. Learn how to start something new so it can grow into the best possible solution and benefit many people.”
PowerWells is not just about delivering renewable energy. Sumba Solusi Alam sees unequal access to electricity as an opportunity to build clean energy solutions rooted in local needs, using renewable resources and recycled components while strengthening local economies. The values of independence, equity, and energy justice define their innovation, bringing light to villages across East Sumba and holding the potential to spread far beyond.
For clean energy and climate startups seeking similar support, stay tuned for updates on the next KINETIK NEX Program from New Energy Nexus Indonesia.
Follow @sumba_sustainable_solutions on Instagram to track their journey, project updates, and how PowerWells continues to empower remote communities while advancing a cleaner energy future.
Written by: Shilfina Putri Widatama
Photos by: Impresif