SparkMeter was born out of a utility company. As a remote distributed microgrid operator, the utility was in search of a smart metering company specializing in remote monitoring, prepayment, and active load control. They were unable to find a cost-effective solution. Sensing a huge opportunity for a growing market, SparkMeter’s founders decided to spin out as a private company to solve the challenges rural utilities encounter at an affordable price point.
The solution.
SparkMeter’s mission is to increase access to electricity in hard-to-reach and underserved markets. They provide smart metering solutions tailored to rural and central utilities in emerging markets, where 2.1 billion people live without reliable electricity access. The simple plug-and-play solution enables utilities operating in remote locations to access a range of features – prepaid billing, customer communications, and remote monitoring and control – that improve their operations, reduce energy theft, improve reliability and achieve financial sustainability.
What makes them special?
- Versatility. The four meter models service residential, small- and medium-sized business, and line loss monitoring requirements.
- Singular focus on emerging markets. They intimately understand the challenges facing our customers. This informs everything from the low price point to the plug-and-play install that allows low-skill labor to install systems.
- Real-time remote monitoring. Grid operators can monitor their grid remotely through the cloud and also receive field alerts and reports based on real-time conditions.
- Robustness. SparkMeter has the most robust communications on the market through our proprietary wireless mesh network. This allows communications and operational flexibility.