Crossboundary offers up its mini grids business model for African peers to benefit
The Kenyan financial services business has been developing rural mini grids across Africa and has announced plans to show its rivals how such networks can thrive, in a bid to accelerate access to electricity on the continent.
African utilities wary of threat from renewables
The rise of clean energy and prosumers, net metering and greenhouse gas regulation all figure among the bogeymen as far as national electric companies are concerned.
World Bank offers $4.6m credit for off-grid solar panels and cook stoves in Kenya
Part of the development lender’s $150 million Kenya Off-grid Solar Access Program, the money will enable distributors to stock up and establish sales networks as well as offering affordable repayment terms to customers across 14 off-grid counties in the East African nation.
Aid organization seeks developers for mini-grids in Ethiopia
The U.S.-based Mercy Corps has opened a call for expressions of interest in the installation of mini-grids at three refugee camps on the Somali border.
Another 11 solar mini-grids for Mozambique
The public body responsible for expanding access to electricity is seeking consultants to prepare a tender for rural PV mini-grids.
How much PV is needed in an hybrid solar-diesel mini-grid?
Researchers in Brazil have suggested using solar radiation databases and simulator software to scale PV-diesel mini-grid generators. The profiles of PV generation and mini-grid load demand are critical to finding the right balance, according to the academics.
Off-grid solar changes lives – but could help many more of the world’s energy poor
A study has attempted to provide detailed analysis of the beneficial impact off-grid renewables, led by solar, are having on people in the world’s least developed countries.
The land that solar (almost) forgot
Almost all of the energy supplied in the Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan comes from 1.67 GW of hydropower capacity but with a rising population and energy demand, and an expanding economy, the 12 GW of solar the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates the Himalayan nation could host might reduce the risk of climate change-related blackouts.
Financing African projects remains a struggle
Innoenergy’s recent conference in Berlin repeated the argument financing renewable energy projects in Africa remains a struggle, however it also showcased some hopeful case studies.
World Bank: Nigeria’s mini-grid sector set to boom
A World Bank presentation in London drew an encouraging picture for the Nigerian market by explaining why the mini grid segment will take off in the next 12 months.
