Tokenized Solar PV Ownership on Cardano (RWAs): Renewable Energy Fractions Platform

[GENERAL] Name and surname of main applicant

Ben Bonner

[GENERAL] Are you delivering this project as an individual or as an entity (whether formally incorporated or not)

Entity (Incorporated)

[GENERAL] Requested funds in ada

297000

[GENERAL] Please specify how many months you expect your project to last (from 2-12 months)

12

[GENERAL] Please indicate if your proposal has been auto-translated into English from another language

No

[GENERAL] Summarize your solution to the problem (200-character limit including spaces)

Zero Citizen will build a Platform (dApp) to enable the public to invest in solar PVs by tokenising these assets on the blockchain. Asset owners will be rewarded based on electricity sold.

[GENERAL] Does your project have any dependencies on other organizations, technical or otherwise?

Yes

[GENERAL] If YES, please describe what the dependency is and why you believe it is essential for your project’s delivery. If NO, please write “No dependencies.”

Zero Citizen will use contractors to deliver some aspects of the Platform, who will be co-ordinated and managed by the team to ensure effective cost management and timely delivery of tasks. The contractor work will also be managed through Zero Citizen's sprint phases.

Zero Citizen will utilise legal council from a 3rd party to ensure the project's legal framework is legally compliant with UK law and regulations.

[GENERAL] Will your project’s output/s be fully open source?

No

[GENERAL] Please provide here more information on the open source status of your project outputs

The bespoke hardware and software technology already developed by Zero Citizen represents a significant investment in innovation and research aimed at advancing renewable energy solutions. By keeping these developments as proprietary intellectual property, Zero Citizen ensures the protection of its innovations, which are central to the company’s unique value proposition.

Keeping the project outputs proprietary allows us to:

• Safeguard our innovative solutions from competitive threats.
• Control quality and compliance with industry standards.
• Secure our revenue streams through controlled licensing and sales.

By managing our technology in-house, we also ensure that any updates, support, and maintenance align with our strict requirements, thereby enhancing the platform's performance and security. This strategic decision supports our mission to deliver reliable and effective energy solutions while sustaining our business growth.

[METADATA] SDG rating

• SDG Goals

1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere

7 - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

11 - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

- SDG Subgoals

1.4 - By 2030, ensure that all men and women, in particular the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technology and financial services, including microfinance

11.3 - By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries

11.6 - By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

13.3 - Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

13.b - Promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities

17.7 - Promote the development, transfer, dissemination and diffusion of environmentally sound technologies to developing countries on favourable terms, including on concessional and preferential terms, as mutually agreed

7.1 - By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services

7.2 - By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

7.a - By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology

7.b - By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all in developing countries, in particular least developed countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their respective programmes of support

8.4 - Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10‑Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production, with developed countries taking the lead

- Key Performance Indicator (KPI)

7.1.1 - Proportion of population with access to electricity

7.2.1 - Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption

7.1.2 - Proportion of population with primary reliance on clean fuels and technology

7.b.1 - Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing countries (in watts per capita)

13.b.1 - Number of least developed countries and small island developing States with nationally determined contributions, long-term strategies, national adaptation plans and adaptation communications, as reported to the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

[SOLUTION] Please describe your proposed solution

We're very proud to be bringing Green RWAs to Cardano and supporting the move to Net Zero, whilst making sure our DePIN infrastructure echoes the Cardano ethos.

Zero Citizen is committed to building on Cardano and looks forward to engaging with the Community during our Catalyst Fund12 campaign.

Investing in solar PVs is unaffordable and unfeasible for many residential/commercial building owners. Zero Citizen is providing a zero-cost entry point for residential and commercial building owners to install solar PVs and provide cheap electricity for the building's occupants. This is particularly targeted at building owners that lack the liquidity to pay for the up-front costs of a solar PV system to be installed.

This submission is focused on the development of the Renewable Energy Fractions (REF) platform itself. The key features of the Platform are as follows:

- Ability for users to connect via social, Google and email logins

A key focus for Zero Citizen's Platform will be to ensure that users are able to utilise the platform with a familiar web2 look and feel, making the on-boarding to blockchain assets a lot less daunting for those newcomers. This will mean we will have standard social login functionality (such as X/Twitter), Google logins and regular email-password logins (for the even more old-school).

- Ability for users to connect their Cardano wallets

Blockchain wallets are of course still required, so we will be ensuring that all major Cardano wallets are useable on the Platform from launch.

- Ability for users to purchase REF tokens

Users will be able to navigate the Platform and its multiple REF projects to find the project they want to invest in. From there, users will be able to use ADA or FIAT currencies (£/$/€) to purchase fractions (tokens) for their desired project.

- Ability for users to view their assets' performance

Owners of fractions (tokens) will be able to log into their dashboard and check the performance of their assets, which will show the amount of electricity produced, sold on-site and sold to the grid.

- Introduction of the Decentralized Zero Citizen Operator Network

To ensure the integrity and transparency of operational data across the REF platform, Zero Citizen will establish a Decentralized Zero Citizen Operator Network. This network will comprise remote node operators who are crucial for the decentralized verification process. Their primary responsibilities include receiving operational data from REF sites—such as energy production levels and energy sales—and validating this information. Once validated, the data is securely recorded on the blockchain, providing a reliable and tamper-proof record of all transactions and operations within the REF ecosystem. This infrastructure supports the platform’s commitment to maintaining accurate and trustworthy data for all stakeholders.

- Ability for REF token owners to claim their rewards

Owners of fractions (tokens) will be able to claim their rewards from the Platform in the form of ADA initially, with the intention to expand this to regular FIAT currencies (£/$/€) soon after.

Whilst this submission is focused on the development of the REF Platform, below is a breakdown of the overall REF solution to provide more holistic context as to why the Platform is needed:

Step 1: Funding

• Zero Citizen will raise funds through tokenising ownership of solar PVs. Ownership of solar PV system will be fractionalised among a set number of tokens (relative to the asset value). For example, owning 5% of the tokens would represent 5% ownership of the solar PV system.
• Zero Citizen and building owners will each retain 5% of the fractions.
• Sales of fractions will be prioritised to the following stakeholders:
• Building owners (e.g. apartment block owners/businesses)
• Occupants of the building.
• Building occupants with a higher ownership of Fractions will be prioritised for receiving a higher allocation of renewable energy.
• Any remaining fractions can then be purchased by retail and institutional investors (the public).

Step 2: Installation

• Zero Citizen will utilise a 3rd party company to install the solar PVs onto the buildings.
• Bespoke hardware and software technology has been developed with the ability to regulate the distribution of electricity to different apartments, or areas of the building, based on the amount of electricity allocated to  them.

Step 3: Electricity Distribution

• Renewable energy supplied directly to building’s occupants.
• A major benefit is that residents can keep their existing utility suppliers.
• Electricity will be sold to residents/businesses 10-20% cheaper than the average electricity price quoted by utility companies.
• This removes 100% reliance on utility companies and moves towards the provision of energy at the point of use (electricity decentralisation).

Step 4: Reward Distribution

• Zero Citizen utilises a sharing economy model; all owners of solar PV  fractions will be rewarded based on the electricity sold.
• This model is initially expected to generate a yield of approximately 12%. This is expected to significantly increase for future projects with the intention of Zero Citizen hiring its own installation team, and procuring its own solar PV assets.

We will also utilise a commercial/residential building owner to partner with for the MVP, which we have already obtained with East Midlands (UK) bus operator, Brylaine.

Hardware and software innovation is being utilised through the team's expertise, which enables electricity to be distributed to multiple apartments, with the residents being able to simultaneously keep their existing utility supplier which is an important component of our solution.

Whilst Zero Citizen will launch the MVP in the UK, we intend to scale rapidly within the UK, whilst identifying scaling opportunities in Europe, Middle East and Africa (in particular Eastern Africa) (EMEA).

[IMPACT] Please define the positive impact your project will have on the wider Cardano community

Zero Citizen aims to democratize energy by enabling fractional ownership of solar PV systems, making renewable energy accessible to a broader audience. By tokenizing ownership, we empower individuals, building owners, and investors to participate in and benefit from the transition to sustainable energy, fostering a decentralized and inclusive energy ecosystem.

Zero Citizen's Renewable Energy Fractions (REF) will provide an opportunity for the Cardano community to invest in real-world assets (RWAs), which provide an important contribution towards tackling climate change, and enabling residential and commercial building owners to significantly improve their carbon footprints through the implementation of renewable energy (solar PVs).

Opportunities will always be broadcast to the wider Cardano community to enable maximum participation from the community. As Cardano Summit 2023, Zero Citizen will be present at the 2024 Summit to showcase our developments, which will include an in-depth analysis of Zero Citizen's REF.

Zero Citizen has previously, is currently and will continue to collaborate with existing projects/companies within the Cardano ecosystem. We strongly believe that collaboration is key to success.

The target market for Zero Citizen's REF are both Cardano blockchain users and real-world investors, that don't currently have a footprint within the Cardano ecosystem.

We will verify new Cardano users with our on-boarding process. This will not only provide important metrics to measure the number of newcomers, but will enable us to tailor our on-boarding process to deliver a simplified introduction to utilising Cardano wallets etc.

Zero Citizen will deliver periodic updates that report on the volume of regular and new users (including newcomers to Cardano).

[CAPABILITY & FEASIBILITY] What is your capability to deliver your project with high levels of trust and accountability? How do you intend to validate if your approach is feasible?

Regarding the team's viability, CEO and co-founder Ben Bonner is a 13-year forces veteran with a robust background in engineering and product development, having now pivoted his expertise towards carbon accounting and reduction strategies. As a certified Lead Environmental Auditor, he enhances corporate environmental practices, steering companies towards more sustainable futures. Through Zero Citizen, Ben has begun working with companies to calculate their scope 1, 2 and 3 footprints, and develop a Carbon Reduction Plan for immediate and long-term environmental impact reduction. Ben has project management experience and as a certified SCRUM leader, will manage the Platform development through each sprint phase, including all of the dependencies required for the successful delivery.

Thomas Langlois, Co-Founder and CTO of Zero Citizen, brings an unparalleled depth of experience in financial services and technology innovation to the forefront of the fight against climate change. With a 24-year career marked by significant achievements in software engineering, technology leadership, and enterprise architecture, Thomas has built a solid understanding of the financial industry's infrastructure. His tenure at prestigious institutions like the London Stock Exchange Group and Euroclear has equipped him with a profound understanding of digital transformation, data strategy, and the integration of cutting-edge technologies to deliver business value.

Additionally, the team has already delivered its bespoke Carbon Balance Service, to provide a means for individuals and micro companies to very simply and effectively calculate and offset their carbon footprints. This demonstrates the team's ability to successfully deliver products that are useable by the public.

With regards to the project viability, the team has verified the bespoke hardware and software components through a proof-of-concept, which has generated the expected data to be utilised within our platform, specifically the data concerning solar PV-derived electricity generation, on-site electricity consumption, and sale of electricity to the mains grid. This has enabled the team validate our solution, and to effectively determine costs for the initial hardware and software required for the inaugural Renewable Energy Fractions (REF) project.

[PROJECT MILESTONES] What are the key milestones you need to achieve in order to complete your project successfully?

Project Initiation and Infrastructure Setup

Output

Set up the foundational end-to-end solution architecture, technology stack, and operational infrastructure for the REF Platform.

Acceptance Criteria

• Finalized solution architecture for the REF Platform.
• Selection and setup of development tools, server infrastructure, and Cardano integration components.
• Establishment of project management frameworks and initialization of project tracking tools.
• Completion of a detailed project plan with defined timelines and resource allocations for subsequent milestones.

Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Solution Architecture document and technology stack description.
• Setup logs for server and development environment.
• Link or document to project plan.

Platform Development and Initial Testing

Output

Develop core functionalities of the REF Platform including user registration, wallet integration, and core REF token handling.

Acceptance Criteria

• Development of login modules supporting social, Google, and email logins.
• Integration of major Cardano wallets into the platform.
• Implementation of initial REF token purchase and dashboard functionalities.
• Conduct initial internal testing to ensure functional integrity and security compliance.

Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Video Test reports demonstrating the functionality of login, wallet integration, and token purchase.
• Screenshots of the platform's user interface.

Decentralized Operator Network Setup and Advanced Features Development

Output

Establish the Decentralized Zero Citizen Operator Network and develop advanced platform features such as asset performance monitoring and remote node dashboards.

Acceptance Criteria

• Setup and operationalization of the Decentralized Zero Citizen Operator Network.
• Development of the remote node operator dashboard and functionalities for data verification and blockchain transactions.
• Addition of advanced user dashboard features for monitoring asset performance.
• Successful integration testing with simulated data.

Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Deployment and operational status reports for the Decentralized Operator Network.
• Screenshots and demo videos of the remote node operator dashboard and user dashboards.
• Integration test results and analysis reports.

Public Beta Launch and User Feedback Integration

Output

Launch the REF Platform in a controlled public beta to gather user feedback and conduct real-time operational adjustments.

Acceptance Criteria

• Launch of the REF Platform public beta, accessible to a selected group of users.
• Comprehensive collection and analysis of user feedback regarding platform usability, functionality, and performance.
• Iterative improvements and bug fixes based on the beta test outcomes.
• Preparation of operational readiness for full-scale launch.

Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Public beta launch announcement and user access records.
• Feedback summary report and action items.
• Documentation of implemented improvements and readiness checklist completion.

Platform Scaling and Final Preparations

Output

Prepare the platform for scaling in the UK and potential expansion into the EMEA region, ensuring robustness and scalability.

Acceptance Criteria

• Optimization of platform architecture for high scalability and reliability.
• Establishment of partnerships for deployment and operational expansion in targeted regions.
• Final security audits and compliance checks.
• Completion of all necessary preparations for full-scale commercial launch.

Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Technical report on architecture optimizations.
• Partnership agreements and strategic plans for targeted regions.
• Security audit reports and final compliance documentation.

Final Milestone: Project Close-out and Dissemination

Output

Finalize all project activities and prepare comprehensive documentation and promotional materials to support the platform's public release.

Acceptance Criteria

• Complete all remaining project documentation.
• Production of a final project close-out report outlining achievements, challenges, and learnings.
• Creation and dissemination of a promotional video that highlights the features and benefits of the REF Platform.
• Official public launch of the REF Platform.

Evidence of Milestone Completion

• Complete set of project documentation.
• Final project close-out report and video.
• Copies of the promotional video and launch press releases.

[RESOURCES] Who is in the project team and what are their roles?

Ben Bonner, Co-founder and CEO: LinkedIn Profile

Ben Bonner, with his robust background in engineering and sustainability, spearheads the Renewable Energy Fractions project at Zero Citizen. As CEO, he is chiefly responsible for the strategic direction and operational execution of the REF initiative. Ben's role includes developing and refining the business model that allows building owners and tenants to adopt solar energy without the barrier of upfront costs. He actively engages with partners and investors to secure funding and support for the project, ensuring that it aligns with the company’s mission to democratize access to renewable energy. His leadership is crucial in steering the project towards achieving significant milestones, such as the deployment of the initial solar PV systems under the REF model.

Thomas Langlois, Co-founder and CTO: LinkedIn Profile

As the CTO of Zero Citizen, Thomas Langlois plays a pivotal role in the technical development and implementation of the Renewable Energy Fractions project. His responsibilities are centred around designing and deploying the technology infrastructure that supports the fractional ownership of solar PVs. This includes the integration of sophisticated blockchain technology to ensure transparent, secure, and efficient transactions of energy fractions. Thomas’s extensive experience in software engineering and systems architecture is instrumental in developing a scalable and secure platform that enables the distribution of solar-generated electricity to multiple stakeholders, enhancing the accessibility and practicality of renewable energy solutions.

[BUDGET & COSTS] Please provide a cost breakdown of the proposed work and resources

Milestone 1: Project Initiation and Infrastructure Setup

• Project Manager: ₳75/hour for 80 hours = ₳6,000
• Solution Architect: ₳75/hour for 80 hours = ₳6,000
• Infrastructure Costs (Servers, Tools) for the first 12 months = ₳15,000
• Legal Consulting: ₳200/hour for 120 hours = ₳24,000

Total for Milestone 1 = ₳51,000

Milestone 2: Platform Development and Initial Testing

• Frontend Developer: ₳75/hour for 300 hours = ₳22,500
• Backend Developer: ₳75/hour for 300 hours = ₳22,500
• UI/UX Designer: ₳70/hour for 150 hours = ₳10,500
• Blockchain Integration Specialist: ₳90/hour for 100 hours = ₳9,000

Total for Milestone 2 = ₳64,500

Milestone 3: Decentralized Operator Network Setup and Advanced Features Development

• Frontend Developer: ₳75/hour for 200 hours = ₳15,000
• Backend Developer: ₳75/hour for 200 hours = ₳15,000
• Blockchain Developer: ₳90/hour for 150 hours = ₳13,500

Total for Milestone 3 = ₳43,500

Milestone 4: Public Beta Launch and User Feedback Integration

• Frontend Developer: ₳75/hour for 250 hours = ₳18,750
• Backend Developer: ₳75/hour for 250 hours = ₳18,750
• Quality Assurance Specialist: ₳65/hour for 100 hours = ₳6,500
• Marketing and Public Relations: ₳10,000

Total for Milestone 4 = ₳54,000

Milestone 5: Platform Scaling and Final Preparations

• Backend Developer: ₳75/hour for 200 hours = ₳15,000
• Frontend Developer: ₳75/hour for 200 hours = ₳15,000
• Security Audit and Compliance Review: ₳25,000

Total for Milestone 5 = ₳55,000

Final Milestone: Project Close-out and Dissemination

• Project Manager: ₳75/hour for 20 hours = ₳1,500
• Backend Developer: ₳75/hour for 100 hours = ₳7,500
• Video Production for Promotional Material: ₳12,000

Total for Final Milestone = ₳21,000

Additional Costs Across All Milestones

  Contingency Fund (10% of Total Direct Costs) = ₳27,000

Total Project Budget

• Total Direct Costs (excluding contingency) = ₳270,000
• Contingency = ₳27,000

Total Budget Request = ₳297,000 ADA

[VALUE FOR MONEY] How does the cost of the project represent value for money for the Cardano ecosystem?

Labour: £60,000

The project involves complex development tasks such as platform front-end and back-end development, as well as blockchain integration with the Cardano blockchain. These tasks require high-level skills in software development and blockchain technology, which are in high demand.

The budgeted amount is aligned with the average wage for skilled developers. By utilizing both full-time staff and contractors, the project ensures flexibility and cost efficiency, getting the best value from specialized skills only as needed.

The project will enhance the Cardano ecosystem by contributing a robust and innovative platform that supports renewable energy initiatives. This aligns with Cardano’s commitment to sustainability and provides a practical application of blockchain technology in energy management.

Materials & Other: £17,000

The expenses cover essential elements such as cloud operations, necessary software licenses, computing hardware, and security audits. Each component is critical for the platform's functionality and security.

The costs are reasonable compared to standard IT project expenditures, where software licenses and cloud operations can form a significant portion of the budget. The security audits are particularly vital for maintaining user trust and data integrity, crucial for platforms dealing with financial transactions and personal data on blockchain.

Investment in robust security measures and high-performance computing infrastructure will minimize potential downtime and security breaches, which could otherwise result in much higher costs in terms of loss and damage to reputation.

Marketing & Documentation: £9,500

Creating high-quality technical documents and user guides, including video tutorials, ensures that stakeholders can effectively use the platform. Marketing materials are crucial for the successful launch of the REF project and to secure a pipeline of future projects.

The cost aligns with typical rates for professional services in marketing and technical writing. Investing in quality documentation and marketing will drive user adoption and engagement, crucial for the platform’s success.

Effective marketing will enhance the visibility of the project within and beyond the Cardano community, potentially attracting more stakeholders and users to the Cardano ecosystem.

Travel & Subsistence: £750

The budget for travel is planned for essential trips, that are necessary for in-person meetings, networking, and on-ground assessments.

The budget is modest relative to typical corporate travel expenses and is focused on generating new business opportunities, which can significantly benefit the platform's long-term success.

Legal Fees: £12,000

Legal fees are essential for ensuring that the REF Platform complies with laws related to renewable energy, blockchain technology, and financial transactions. This budget covers consultations, contract drafting, and compliance checks. Effective legal guidance protects Zero Citizen from potential litigation and regulatory penalties, reinforcing our credibility and stability as we expand. Investing in legal expertise ensures the integrity and scalability of our business model.

Each of these costs has been carefully budgeted to ensure they are proportional to the services rendered and the benefits they bring. The project promises to deliver a platform that not only supports renewable energy initiatives, demonstrating Cardano as being a 'blockchain for good', but also demonstrates the practical utility of blockchain in managing and fractionalising assets that utilise a sharing economy.