SolarAid

🛠️ Today on #EWasteDay, we are delighted to publish the first ever 'State of Repair' report, in collaboration with UNSW. In this edition of Spotlight on Solar, Jamie McCloskey, Director of Programmes and Partnerships shares his reflections on the report and its most valuable insights. “This report shows much promise, but it also unearths some of the real challenges we face in addressing Repair as a whole sector. We firmly believe that if we collectively tackle the barriers ahead of us, repair services can be an overall net benefit to the off grid solar sector, financially and otherwise.” Read more and access the report 👇 #InternationalEWasteDay #RightToRepair #Research #ElectronicWaste

Huge thanks to Solar Media Limited and Energy Storage for a great evening at the #EnergyStorageAwards. We are deeply grateful to have been chosen as beneficiaries of the silent auction. Because of your generosity, SolarAid can continue its mission to bring clean, safe, and sustainable light to the most remote corners of sub-Saharan Africa. Here’s to creating a brighter world, one solar light at a time! ☀️ #CleanEnergy #Sustainability

🎁 It is estimated British companies spend an astounding £1.5 billion annually on corporate and staff Christmas gifts. What if those gifts could also light up lives and help create a greener planet?🌍 This year, consider making your corporate gift a sustainable one from the SolarAid shop! Our small solar lights are perfect for camping, festivals, or simply reducing your energy use at home. Every purchase makes a powerful impact; by giving a gift that keeps on giving, you're transforming lives, reducing carbon emissions, and spreading holiday joy in the most meaningful way.🎄 https://lnkd.in/derBFaCt #CorporateGifts #Sustainability #MakeAnImpact

💡 This may look like just a container being unloaded, but it's so much more—it’s the delivery of clean, safe light on its way to rural communities in Zambia, where only 14% of the rural population has access to electricity. These lights mean life can continue after sunset—children can study at night, and parents can work to sustain their families after dark. #SDG7 #RenewableEnergy #UniversalEnergyAccess

We’re excited to welcome Emma Colenbrander to the SolarAid family as a new trustee! Currently, Emma serves as Managing Director at Spring Impact, where she helps organisations scale their impact. She is also the Founder of the Global Distributors Collective (GDC), a network of 200+ last mile distribution companies, and co-founder of Pollinate Group, which provides clean energy to communities in India and Nepal. Emma’s deep understanding of energy access and scaling social enterprises aligns perfectly with our mission to bring clean, affordable solar light to the world’s most underserved communities. Her expertise in business growth, strategy, development innovation, and partnership building directly supports SolarAid’s efforts to combat poverty and climate change. We’re thrilled to have Emma on board and look forward to the valuable insights and strategic guidance she will bring. Welcome aboard, Emma! #RenewableEnergy #Leadership #Impact

With 80% of Zambia's electricity supply dependent on hydropower, the ongoing drought has triggered an unprecedented energy crisis. The government has extended planned power outages (load shedding) to record levels, and some communities are now facing blackouts lasting up to 72 hours. The impact on daily life has been profound. Our team in Zambia recently spoke to customers who rely on solar lighting to navigate these difficult times. Emmanual Simukoko, a grocery shop owner, shared his story: "The loadshedding situation has seriously impacted our daily lives at home, in businesses, and workplaces. I run a grocery shop here, and with power cuts lasting 15-19 hours a day, we now get only about 5 hours of electricity—often just during the day, leaving us without power in the evenings. This solar light has truly made a difference, helping me stay visible to customers and allowing me to see and work comfortably after dark."* Emmanual's experience shows the importance of sustainable energy solutions in times of crisis. At SolarAid, we remain committed to help building resilience and providing communities with access to affordable solar light. Read more about the role solar plays as the drought in Zambia is getting worse: https://lnkd.in/deEEDWYc

🌍 Nearly 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still live without a light switch in their homes. You can bring your team together and spend "A Night Without Light" — either in person or virtually — to experience what it’s like to spend an evening in darkness or by the glow of a solar lamp. “I came away from it feeling that I would never take the access to electric light for granted again and have been using less lighting since the event. It was a thought-provoking evening and am planning to do it again,” said one participant in 2023. This immersive event raises awareness and much-needed support to help change the reality many families face. By participating, you’ll be supporting SolarAid’s mission to provide clean, safe lighting options to families who need it most. Click below for more information and to get involved! 💡✨ https://lnkd.in/dTt8HsNC

🌍We believe the most impactful corporate partnerships are built on a shared mission, and we're excited to announce our new partnership with Viridian Energy Consulting 🍃! Jack Turner, Director & Founder of Viridian Energy, says, “Viridian has chosen to support SolarAid as it felt like the natural choice for us; SolarAid sits so closely to the industry that we work within. Giving communities access to clean light is a cause that is close to our hearts. By committing to supporting SolarAid, every placement that we now make contributes directly to supporting a charity that ensures communities in Africa have access to clean and safe light. We hope that through our 1% for the Planet contribution, we continue to provide increased support to SolarAid as our business grows.” With Viridian Energy’s support, every placement they make directly helps our mission to bring safe, sustainable light to families across sub-Saharan Africa. Together, we’re committed to a world where clean energy and clean light are accessible to all. Thank you, Viridian Energy Consulting 🍃, for partnering with us in lighting the way to a more sustainable and equitable future! Are you interested in learning more about the impact that corporate partnerships can have for families living without access to electricity? Get in touch with our Corporate Partnerships Manager, Lyndsay Dixon. #RenewableEnergy #CorporatePartnership #CleanEnergy

Support from funders like the Turner Kirk Trust, who boldly take leaps and provide 'permission to fail,' has been crucial to the success of our Energy-as-a-Service project, Light a Village. Learn more about this initiative and our future plans 👇

Brilliant to see ESI Africa, Sinazo Mkoko shedding light on the newly released "State of Repair" report, published in collaboration with UNSW. This report highlights the critical issues surrounding battery failure and repair in rural off-grid areas. Understanding the most common reasons for equipment failure, as well as the greatest barriers to rural repair, is vital as we aim to decrease electronic waste, give a second life to solar products, and foster a flourishing repair culture for off-grid solar. 🔗 Check out the article on ESI Africa below. https://lnkd.in/dQFc92bp