Mwihaki Chege’s Post

It all started with Rwanda. In 2019 while working in academia, I came across a journal paper which stated that households were spending up to 40% of their total income on energy, most of which was used for heating water. Being a solar heat geek, this was my calling. It became pretty clear that current solar solutions weren't suitable for wide scale implementation into the global south which is why their use remains very low, chiefly because they are: ♨ Prone to overheating. Current solar thermal products have been developed for colder/northern climates. Deploy them in sunny/hot regions and they can reach temperatures well above 100 degrees Celsius which can be unsafe and reduce system lifetime. 🚿 Damaged by hard water. Borehole water is often used in Africa which can be hard and mineralised. Heating this water can lead to limescale build up reducing performance and reliability of systems. 🏭 They are typically made overseas and imported. This is the big one. Current solar collectors require a significant capital investment to locally manufacture so they are often imported from other countries. Imagine the impact of a locally manufactured solar collector, new creating jobs and building a low carbon industry! 🚛 Difficult and expensive to ship. I once spoke with a distributor in Malawi who told me that he experienced up to 20% breakage rates importing solar collectors from China due to their size and fragile materials. This adds further cost. This led me to design the IKEA solution to solar hot water, a flat-packed, self assembled solar collector that doesn't require any tools to assemble. It can be locally manufactured, and won't reach dangerous temperatures. In 2022 Kris Aitchison and I traveled to Rwanda to complete our first installations with financial support from the Energy Catalyst (an Innovate UK programme) programme. This project was a huge success for us and it was wonderful to see this photo of a delegation from the Transforming Energy Access forum visit one of our very first installations taken over two years later. This year SolarisKit Ltd | Certified B Corp looks forward to deploying more solar collectors across the continent while helping build the essential capacity needed to unlock the potential of solar heating. This is all part of my vision for a better world. Whats your vision for a better world? I would love to know!

Solar Energy Driving Sustainable Development in Kenya Kenya's abundant solar resources are a game-changer for sustainable energy! With an average of 4-6 kWh/m² of solar radiation per day, solar energy emerges as a reliable and abundant renewable resource. Leading the Clean Energy Charge: Solar power generates electricity without harmful emissions, playing a crucial role in Kenya's efforts to combat climate change and enhance air quality, especially in urban hubs like Nairobi. Empowering Communities: Solar energy offers decentralized access to electricity, transforming lives in remote and off-grid areas where traditional grid infrastructure is scarce or prohibitively expensive. A Step Towards Energy Sovereignty: By investing in solar energy, Kenya is reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels, fortifying energy security, and lessening vulnerability to volatile global fuel prices. Join us in celebrating Kenya's solar energy revolution and the journey towards a greener, more sustainable future! #SolarEnergy #RenewableFuture #SustainableKenya www.waterlift.africa 0768 11 70 70 Victor Kakendo

The magic power of solar energy in Africa

France finances 42.5 MW power plant in Kenya The French Development Agency (AFD)'s funding of a solar energy project in Kenya is a manifestation of the international community's common endeavour to combat climate change and promote the development of renewable energy. This will not only help Kenya to diversify its electricity supply, but also provide new solutions to the growing climate challenge. We are concerned about the far-reaching impact of these projects on Africa's future sustainable development, and look forward to more such co-operation to drive the green transition across the continent. News from PV Magazine (https://lnkd.in/gqFMbVnx) #RenewableEnergy #EnergyStorage #Sustainability #Kenya #PVMagazine

𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆! 🌞 At Mantula Solar, our vision is clear: to neutralize carbon emissions in Africa by 2050. We're working towards this goal one solar panel at a time, transforming neighborhoods and businesses into bastions of sustainability and resilience. ☀️ 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆: Each installation contributes to a greener planet by providing clean, renewable energy that curbs carbon emissions. 𝗘𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Solar power helps communities gain control over their energy, reducing reliance on unpredictable grid power and enhancing self-sufficiency. 𝗘𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: Beyond environmental impact, solar projects stimulate local economies by creating jobs and reducing energy costs. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲: Solar energy ensures a reliable power supply even during outages, making communities more resilient in the face of natural disasters and other disruptions. 🌱🔋 Join us on this transformative journey as we empower communities with sustainable energy solutions, making strides towards our ambitious vision for a carbon-neutral Africa by 2050. 👉 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀! https://mantula.co.za/ ☀️ #mantulasolar #communityimpact #solarpower #renewableenergy #sustainableenergy #energyindependence #communityresilience #solarpanels #greenenergy #ecofriendly #solarprojects #poweringcommunities #carbonneutral2050

🌍☀️ 70 years ago, solar power was just a dream—a toy Ferris wheel spinning under the sun. Today, it’s a game-changer, with the potential to power entire continents. Solar energy is on an exponential rise, and by the 2030s, it’s set to be the world’s biggest source of electricity, by the 2040s, it might even be the largest source of all energy. In Africa, where 600 million people still lack reliable electricity, the promise of solar is nothing short of transformational. Imagine a continent where every home is lit, where water is purified, and where new industries thrive—all powered by the sun. This is not a distant dream; it’s a reality we’re building today. Read on: https://ow.ly/ePe050Tawen At Bright Light, we’re not just talking about the future—we’re creating it. From Cape Town to Johannesburg, our solar solutions are helping businesses and communities cut costs, reduce CO2 emissions, and conserve water. And as solar power continues to become cheaper and more abundant, the possibilities are endless. Join us in leading Africa into a bright, sustainable future. Discover how our solar solutions can transform your energy needs and empower communities across the continent. The power of the sun is limitless—let’s harness it together. 🌐 https://lnkd.in/dF2MZ-dF #SolarPower #BrightLight #Sustainability #Africa #RenewableEnergy #Innovation #CleanEnergy

In Lagos, households and MSMEs consume an astonishing 15.6 billion litres of petrol annually, contributing to significant carbon emissions—21 million tons from households alone. With 88% of households and 52% of businesses interested in alternative energy, the transition is inevitable. However, the high cost of solar energy remains a barrier. The time to embrace sustainable energy solutions has never been more crucial. At Fantein, we provide actionable insights to help businesses navigate energy challenges and explore more efficient, greener alternatives. Let's help you plan for the future of energy. WE KNOW AFRICA #SustainableEnergy #FuelConsumption #BusinessGrowth #DataDriven #GreenTransition #FanteinResearch #WeKnowAfrica

☀️ Embracing the power of the sun! Did you know that according to the United Nations, solar energy is the most abundant of all energy resources on Earth? 🌍☀️ At Africa GreenTec, we are proud to harness this incredible energy source to bring power to communities across Africa. Solar energy can be harnessed even in cloudy weather, making it a reliable and sustainable solution for energy needs. 🌦️💡 The potential of solar energy is truly awe-inspiring — the rate at which solar energy is intercepted by the Earth is 10,000 times greater than the rate at which humankind consumes energy. 💪 ⚡ Solar technologies have the ability to provide heat, cooling (like our Cooltainer), natural lighting (like our Solar Street UP), and electricity (like our Solartainer Amali) for a wide range of applications. 🌞 Join us in embracing the power of solar energy, and let's work together to create a brighter, more sustainable future for all. ☀️🌍 #change #renewableenergy #sustainable #impact #africa #socialbusiness #europe #cooperation #impactsite #empower #energysupply #solarenergy #Sustainability WE DO.

Did you know? Kenya has the highest rate of electricity access in East Africa, with over 75% of the population connected to the grid, largely thanks to renewable energy sources. Innovative projects and increased investments are making solar a game-changer, bringing affordable and clean energy to both urban and rural areas. As Kenya continues to expand its renewable energy footprint, it’s paving the way for a sustainable future not just locally, but across the African continent. #SolarEnergy #RenewableEnergy #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #Kenya #SolarInnovation

The Role of Solar Power in Sub-Saharan Development Empowering Sub-Saharan Africa with Solar Energy: A Path to Development Sub-Saharan Africa faces a critical energy crisis, with millions lacking reliable electricity. Solar power presents a transformative solution. By harnessing abundant sunlight, these regions can power homes, schools, and businesses, fostering economic growth and improving quality of life. What are the most significant challenges facing energy access in your community? Share your experiences in the comments. #SolarEnergy #AfricaDevelopment #RenewableEnergy #Sustainability