Yesterday, the Guardian reported the staggering cost of fossil fuel subsidies following a report from the IMF: an estimated $5.3 trillion or 6.5% of global GDP. This eye-watering amount is almost too huge to comprehend but the human cost of subsidies is something we hear about each day. The cost of ‘negative externalities’ Much of the subsidy […]
On Monday 18 May 2015, SolarAid Head of Policy, Charlie Miller, is working with the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association and the Power for All initiative to deliver two sessions at the Sustainable Energy for All forum in New York. The sessions will highlight: Why off-grid solar is critical for achieving Sustainable Energy for All How off-grid solar can be […]
SolarAid’s founding director and clean energy campaigner, Jeremy Leggett, has been awarded the highly prestigious Gothenburg Award for his work with solar energy. Jeremy set-up the UK’s leading solar company, Solarcentury, back in 1998 and drew plans to donate 5% of its net profit to a solar charity. In 2006 Solarcentury turned a profit and SolarAid was born. Under […]
You may remember Joseph from a previous blog on solar lights and reconciliation. He is using the solar light as a symbol of hope. In his country Kenya, where 70% of its population rely on wood, kerosene or home made charcoal for light, a solar lamp can be the catalyst for a peaceful, brighter and more […]
In September last year we announced the start of our collaborative PhD with the University of Edinburgh on solar waste, repair and recycling. The study is funded by the Economic & Social Research Council and will explore how we can make our work even more sustainable. The PhD is focussing on developing waste solutions for the off-grid lighting […]
In an article published yesterday on BBC World News the question was posed, is the sun rising on an African solar revolution? The article went on to outline the many benefits of solar energy to rural African families but concluded that no, a revolution may still be some way off. Well we have to disagree with the […]
Last week saw the UK launch of the International Year of Light, the UN initiative to promote the importance of light in tackling development issues. The launch took place at St James’ Palace, a building with a long history of Royal residence. A grand setting with some esteemed figures, but the SolarAid ladies weren’t to be […]
There are continuing discussions in the off-grid lighting world about the merits of small hand-held solar lights Vs larger solar home systems. This was touched upon in a great article in the Economist recently and is an issue that crops up regularly. Here we hear from Victoria Arch, who echoes our own sentiment, that small solar lights […]
Joseph Karanja is a Kenyan lawyer from Eldoret. Back in April we posted a blog written by his long-time friend, and SolarAid supporter Keith Neal, about solar lights and peace and reconciliation in Western Kenya. We can now give you an update from Joseph directly. This is a truly heart-warming story about the power of […]
2015 is the UNESCO International Year of Light, a global initiative highlighting the importance of light in everyday life and for the development of society. To mark the official launch of the IYOL on 19th January 2015, SolarAid are asking supporters to take a few moments – whether just five minutes or an entire evening […]