SolarAid

The project

This £1.3m initiative, which is run by international development charity SolarAid, aims to provide solar power, education and training opportunities for thousands of people across the country.

Access to solar power and, in turn, light and electricity, can make a dramatic difference in improving education, health, safety and the potential income of people living in rural areas. With a reliable power source readily available, these communities can store vaccines, refrigerate food and light their homes, schools, clinics and businesses.

SolarAid works with local entrepreneurs, helping them establish their own solar businesses and spread local enterprise across rural communities by selling solar-powered microsolar lights.

An important benefit for the people concerned is that solar power eliminates the need for kerosene lamps, commonly used to light homes in Kenya’s remote villages. Kerosene costs typically demand a third of an average rural Kenyan household’s income, and burning the fuel is a primary cause of respiratory illness.

The SolarAid partnership programme has three key elements:

SunnyMoney microsolar enterprise projects

SolarAid trains local people in villages across Kenya with the sales and marketing skills necessary to establish a sustainable business and market low-cost solar systems. Typically these will generate enough electricity to power a lamp, run a radio or charge a mobile phone.

There is enormous potential to significantly enhance quality of life in rural communities – SolarAid’s research reveals that while a number of households own radios and mobile phones, few can afford the batteries to keep them charged so they’re left unused. Microsolar lights contain rechargeable batteries powered by the sun to light super bright LEDs. The batteries can last up to two years before being replaced.

Solar for Schools (and Community Centres) Africa

Barclays and SolarAid aim to install 300-watt solar energy systems in 80 schools and community centres across Kenya by 2012. Providing a reliable, renewable source of electricity will allow students, teachers and local adults to study after sundown and use computers and technical equipment. These factors all play a vital part in improving literacy rates, school attendance and teacher retention.

Solar education

The work Barclays is supporting through the SolarAid partnership also includes educating local people, including students and school children, on how solar power and sustainable sources of energy can play a vital part in developing the Kenyan economy.