Nano-grid Solar Power by INTASAVE go live in two villages in Nakuru to compete with Kenya Power

No one loves Kenya Power. No one loves that it is a monopoly. Despite this, no Kenyan wants to use solar power, at least not directly. It therefore seems that the only way to ensure Kenyans use solar power is provide that solar power in form of grid power, and that is exactly what INTASAVE has done. INTASAVE Energy is an early stage company that has the objective of bringing clean electricity to communities in Africa and emerging markets. The first project by INTASAVE is the Kenyan Solar Nano-Grid (SONG) renewable energy systems that went live yesterday in Lemolo B and Echareria villages in Nakuru County.

Over the last two weeks, INTASAVE was installing the 3-5kWp solar hubs at the Lemolo B and Echareria villages to allow the communities to switch on lights and operate new agri-processing machinery. The two communities are the first to receive a revolutionary new model for clean, affordable and reliable energy where a central solar hub provides both commercial energy for new village enterprises and household energy using up-cycled laptop batteries. The hub allows energy to be shared between households, businesses and the community bringing economic, social and environmental benefits.

INTASAVE nears completion
Community members gather at the INTASAVE solar hubs as installations near completion

The installation is the start of a major INTASAVE Energy solar nano-grid initiative (SONG) that ultimately aims to bring the benefits of clean affordable energy to over 450,000 people across the globe. INTASAVE Energy has launched a $30M impact investment programme to make this goal a reality.

INTASAVE nano-grid system
INTASAVE nano-grid system

The Solar Nano-Grid (SONG) is a small network and solar-hub with a direct current (DC) inverter-less power output of 3-5kWP not connected with a utility grid. Each grid supports a small independent community of around 60 households, giving energy to around 300 people through household services and reaching many more by operating the centralized solar energy hub to provide power for micro-enterprises and community services with social, health and education impacts. With the development of micro-enterprises, the community can realise collective benefits, save money to extend their solar nano-grid systems and increase their energy consumption cleanly and sustainably. Not only is this model genuinely sustainable in terms of the technology used, it is also scalable in the long term with growing social benefits.

installing lights
Installing light bulbs in homes – the kit includes three light bulbs and a charger and battery pack

INTASAVE’s SONG model has been initially supported by $600,000 of research and development funds provided by the UK Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) and the Department for International Development (DFID). First installations, including those being installed in Lemolo B and Echareria in Kenya, were funded from $100,000 raised through Crowdfunding.

In order to take the programme to a global level, INTASAVE Energy is now undertaking a global impact investment initiative and Green/Climate Bond programme to raise $30 million in order to roll out the technology to around 1,500 communities in Kenya, South Africa and Mozambique in the next two years. This full impact investment will enable the provision of off-grid residential and community power (including agri-processing and community refrigeration) to around 450,000 people.

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account

Remember me Lost your password?

Lost Password