Solar

How the competition will play out is still unclear. What is evident is that the state perceived as the winner in this race will likely become a regional hub for energy storage, attracting investment and jobs, while leaving the other state in its shadow. This puts policy makers in the hot seat.

Nairobi​ in​​ Kenya​ was the setting where​ d.light, a global solar kit maker, launched its off-grid solar syste​m​ X850. The launch took place June 27 at the company’s headquarters in ​the African capital​ and is its first offering of a platform-based solar system for customers.

When we think about the things we take for granted, one of the most common is access to basic energy. Turning on a lamp so you can teach your children how to read, watching the evening news, or working into the night on your computer are all basic acts that most of us don’t even consider to be a privilege. Over 500 million people have a mobile phone without a place to charge it at home – a basic convenience needed to conduct commerce.

Greenlight Planet designs, manufactures, distributes, and finances solar-powered home energy systems and appliances for the two billion people in Asia and Africa living without access to a reliable and affordable electrical grid. To date, the company has sold over six million solar-powered lanterns and home energy systems, impacting over 20 million people in over 50 countries. Founder and CEO Patrick Walsh shares how Greenlight Planet’s design, efficient engineering, and innovative distribution strategies can make dirty kerosene lanterns a thing of the past.

The World Health Organization attributes more than 4 million deaths each year to exposure to household stove smoke, especially in developing countries with high poverty rates. One Earth Designs developed the SolSource Solar Cooker, which offers an easy-to-use, off-grid cooking solution using only the power of the sun. CEO and Co-Founder Catlin Powers speaks about the power of coal and kerosene alternatives to reduce health risks, lessen harm done to the environment, and empower women.

NRG always looks for ways to systematically improve environmental and community outcomes from our facilities’ operations while ensuring efficiency, reliability and stakeholder value. Focus areas within Sustainable Operations include safety, GHG emissions and carbon utilization, water, industrial waste and biodiversity.

As many of America’s asphalt and concrete roads crumble, solar pavement may offer a brighter future.

Ignacio Rodriguez, director for power sector and energy reforms at Tetra Tech, was part of a Tetra Tech delegation that attended the Africa Energy Forum (AEF) in Copenhagen, Denmark. Ignacio shared insights as part of a panel discussion of the importance of the regulator as an independent entity. All opinions expressed in this post are the author’s own.