Who We Are
SunPower Afrique was founded in 2008 by Kira Costanza and her father, Jon Costanza, combining more than 33 years of solar experience with a passion for microfinance and development in Togo, West Africa.
SunPower Afrique engages MFIs and their clients in West Africa and SunPower Builders, a US-based solar energy provider that will provide technical expertise and training.
The pilot will work with FECECAV, an MFI based in Kpalimé, Togo. FECECAV serves over 10,000 clients in Southern Togo and is an active and rapidly growing member of Togo’s microfinance community. We will also work with Togo’s National Microfinance Committee and Professional Association of MFIs to promote national strategies, which include ambitious information technology goals. Other actors include a qualified team of electrical technicians on the ground, chosen for their knowledge and focus on renewable energy.
Kira Costanza, SunPower Afrique’s founder and Executive Director, maintains networks and contacts in both the solar and microfinance communities. Having worked with an MFI in Togo in 2008, she has experience with local and national microfinance initiatives in Togo as well as daily MFI operations. Kira also works as Director of External Relations at SunPower Builders, a solar design-build firm outside of Philadelphia, PA.
Jon Costanza is SunPower Afrique’s Solar Energy Consultant and Chair of the Board of Directors. Jon is also the Founder and President of Sunpower Builders, where he has been designing and installing solar systems since 1972. Jon is dedicated to the profound common thread between the art of historic restoration and energy conservation, and will never stop promoting in his vision of “Massive Change”, in which humans can learn to consume and renew, responsibly and simply.
Board of Directors
Jon Costanza, Chair, Founder and President, SunPower Builders
Lisa Ross, Director of Marketing, SunPower Afrique
Lou Ann Merckle, Founder & Former Executive Director Save Darfur Coalition
Bruce Lamont, Founder and Former CEO, Covalent Group; Consultant
David Broida, Lower Merion Democratic Committeeman; Board member, Jewish Social Policy Action Network, Interim Ex. Director of Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Foundation
Thank you to our pro-bono legal counsel and all of the talented and motivated individuals who have contributed to SunPower Afrique in any capacity, and on both sides of the ocean.
Merci a nos avocats benevoles et a tous les gens doués et motivés qui ont contribué a SunPower Afrique en tous des capacités, et à deux côtés de la mer.
NEXT : Pilot Project
