News and views

Mathani – Talking about solar lights

  This film for SolarAid was shot on Mafia Island, Tanzania. The crew began shooting 30 seconds after meeting Athmani. The cameraman, Brad, carried a small camera on a stick, and was accompanied by @Ralph_Greenland from SolarAid UK. The translator is Irene Chalya from SolarAid Tanzania.

Large parts of Malawi plunged into darkness

As recently highlighted in the Guardian newspaper, Malawi has been suffering from an extended period of drought throughout 2017, with water levels at the country’s main hydro-electric plant falling to critical levels, resulting in major blackouts across the country. For people connected to the electricity grid, this means they are being forced to look for alternative power solutions […]

Brave – Solar vs kerosene lamps

  Why do we sell solar lights? What difference do they make and how much do they cost? And why are kerosene lanterns so bad anyway? Find out all the above in our film featuring SunnyMoney hero, Brave Mhonie. Part 2 of 3.

A letter from Alex in Zambia

  Hello, I’m Alex from SunnyMoney Zambia. I moved from the UK to Lusaka, Zambia’s capital, in 2012 and I fell in love with the country and its people. Five years later, I’m still here and celebrating the first birthday of my daughter, Violet. If you’re reading this letter, chances are you have the light […]

Brave – Living without light

  Want to know what life in rural Malawi is like without electricity? Brave Mhonie tells us how burning a branch in your home for light is often the only solution and why solar lights in the home are changing lives. Part 1 of 3.

Sunshine is free! SolarAid 2 min video

Our ‘SolarAid in two minutes’ film was first shown on the big screen at a music festival in July 2011. We wanted to show that by using sunshine for energy, rural communities are empowering themselves. What’s more, they are happy about it. With solar energy they can build their communities, provide opportunities in schools, health […]

News from SolarAid’s CEO

SolarAid’s CEO, John Keane, shares his thoughts after a month in the role. It’s good to be back. I’ve been getting all the usual ‘déjà vu’ experiences that you might expect someone to have when returning somewhere after a year or two away. I expect that feeling to continue for a little while yet. It’s […]

Electricity for all by 2030 requires investment of $52 billion per year

The IEA (International Energy Agency) has put together an excellent report which carries out a detailed analysis of the progress being made in creating energy access for the world’s underserved populations. The report recognises that ‘Energy access is the “golden thread” that weaves together economic growth, human development and environmental sustainability.’ Yet at the current […]

Delivering change in Africa

The following post is from Debbie and Robin Hill, two SolarAid supporters who have made several trips to Africa to support health and social care programmes.  My husband and I first visited Uganda in 2013 where we worked voluntarily as teaching assistants at a school established by a Ugandan man and English woman. Having researched solar lights on the […]