Poynting's development of a solar television, under the SunPoynt TV banner, completes the group's broadcasting value chain, which it moved into after buying Aucom in June.
The group, which makes antennas and telecommunication products, expects to sell 1 000 units a month into African markets from next April. It says it sees enormous potential for the kit as the continent migrates to digital television.
Each unit comes with a 19-inch LED 12V TV, two LED lights on 6m cables, a universal cellphone charger, a solar panel, a solar charge regulator, as well as the option of an antenna and a digital terrestrial decoder.
Poynting is also developing additional products to add to the solar range, says Poynting Digital TV business unit manager Eduard Walker.
"This is the first product in the range, and we are excited to be developing more useful applications, including a fan, a fridge, more lights and 12V plug socket. SunPoynt Internet will be the next step, offering Internet connectivity to those off the grid."
Digital push
Walker explains the TV unit, which retails for around R4 000, completes the broadcasting value chain already offered by Aucom, which provides solutions from encoding to actual broadcast.
Four appliances can be plugged into the charge regulator, which allows for enough space for a decoder, says Walker. He adds the group is initially targeting sales into Kenya, where it has a distributor, and SA.
Walker notes Kenya is already migrating to digital television, which is a focus area for Poynting.
In March, Poynting said it had "made several breakthrough inventions" in terms of set-top boxes, installation of digital television systems, and antennas and antenna manufacturing. Walker points out viewers need to get new antennas. DigiAnt, another Poynting innovation, will in some cases be packaged with SunPoynt TV.
Poynting aims to capture a niche in a market that already offers a number of solar panel products. Walker says competitor products are available, but are more expensive as they include an inverter.
The group expects solid demand for the units. "There are many potential users in Africa who have the means but are simply off the grid. The growth of satellite TV channels in Africa, including GOTV, DSTV and Startimes, as well as private and state-owned services offered by each country, means that plenty of content is available," says Walker.
A battery is not provided with the package, but Walker highlights there is a massive battery industry in Africa so these are easy to access.
Share