African economies may be booming, but continued growth and quality of life are being jeopardised by lack of power. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates 585 million people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity, with the electrification rate as low as 14.2% in rural areas. The problem is most acute in East Africa, where only 23% of Kenyans; 10.8% of Rwandans; and 14.8% of Tanzanians have access to an electricity supply, according to the World Bank. In spite of efforts to get people onto the grid, population growth has meant these figures stay fairly steady, with the majority of people still using costly and unhealthy forms of energy for cooking and lighting. A number of companies and organisations on the continent have identified solar power as the solution. Read More * * * * * * * * * * There are some off the grid gadgets that are being developed by "solarpreneurs." The good thing about what is happening is that low income families can purchase a kit and get use out of gadgets that would otherwise take alternate energy. One of these projects have been able to provide power to over 140,000 households for less than 50 cents per day.
Kiira Motors, an African company, for Africans by Africans is unveiling 'Africa's first solar bus.' "Kiira Motors' Kayoola prototype electric bus was shown off at a stadium in Uganda's capital, Kampala. One of its two batteries can be charged by solar panels on the roof which increases the vehicle's 80km (50 mile) range The makers now hope to attract partners to help manufacture the bus for the mass market." Link
