News and views

Janet Pickering introduces solar lights to village families in The Gambia

Below, former Headmistress of Withington Girls’ School, Janet Pickering talks about her experience of visiting The Gambia to share the gift of light… I had the privilege of being the Headmistress of Withington Girls’ School (WGS), Manchester, from 2000 to 2010.  In 2003 the School began an ongoing link with small-scale education projects in The Gambia, […]

How has solar boosted Africa’s economic activity

  In the off-grid rural areas of Africa, there is an imperative need for light. What is there to do when one is faced with darkness? Well, you are forced to go to sleep, limited in your options. Unless a business relies on a kerosene lamp or some other means of light to keep the […]

Women in solar – inspiration from Kenya

Currently, in Kenya, around only 50% of people have access to electricity. Women are also rarely engaged in solar policy, generation, distribution and commercial services. Recently, SolarAid became aware of the She Shapes The City project, which tells the stories of 10 inspiring women who are involved in the growing solar energy market in Kenya. […]

The power of an email

Keith Neal, who discovered SolarAid via the 2012 Radio 4 Appeal, explains how his work promoting solar led to helping control the spread of Ebola in Africa… I’d like to extend a big welcome to any new SolarAid supporters who have come to us via the Radio 4 Appeal. If you’re like me, you’ll probably […]

What’s going on at SolarAid!?

You may have thought things had gone a bit quiet at SolarAid over the last few months, but rest assured we have not been slacking… The older SolarAiders amongst you may remember the name the Nick Sireau. Nick was the first CEO of SolarAid, back in 2006, when it started out under the snappy title […]

How did two minutes of Radio 4 transform countless lives?

On 27 December 2012 Keith Neal received an email from a friend urging him to listen to BBC Radio 4’s New Year Appeal for SolarAid. It said, ‘I hope you don’t mind me forwarding this charity appeal to you. I think this is such a simple and effective way to improve the lives of poor […]

Ian McEwan records follow-up Radio 4 Appeal

We are hugely excited to announce that world renowned author Ian McEwan has agreed to record another Radio 4 appeal, with a very special message just for you. The appeal is set to be aired on 22nd May at 07:55 and 21:26, make sure you tune in. The Atonement author recorded his first SolarAid appeal […]

SolarAid help define sector-wide metrics

Over the last few years our impact research has been the driving force behind all our work. Thanks to your help & support we were able to build an award winning team that became the leading voice within the off-grid lighting world. We were able to speak to our customers and listen to their needs, […]

Naturally Africa Foundation

We’re excited to announce that we’ve teamed up with Naturally Africa Foundation to help spread safe clean light throughout rural communities in Malawi. Setup in 2010, NAF is committed to raising funds and providing support across Africa to both community and conservation projects. Their mission is to relieve poverty by assisting in the provision of education, training […]