African solar power pioneer in context for global green energy prize

A company specialising in providing affordable solar power products for Africa’s poor has been selected alongside six other organisations from India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Peru and Afghanistan as a finalist for the 2012 Ashden Awards, the world’s leading green energy prize. The finalists will compete for over £120,000 prize money, with the winners to be announced at a prestigious ceremony in London on 30 May 2012.

Social for-profit enterprise Barefoot Power is rolling out a wide range of solar power products at speed across Africa, brightening up the lives of those with limited or no access to grid power. Products range from single desk lamps to complete kits for use by community homes, clinics and schools. With good links to microfinance organisations, Barefoot has sold more than 400,000 lanterns and lighting kits to 2 million rural poor in Africa, Asia Pacific, India and the Americas.
Founder Director of Ashden Sarah Butler-Sloss said: “In this International Year of Sustainable Energy For All, Barefoot offers a powerful example of the huge potential for businesses to bring sustainable energy to the poor. For children doing their homework and parents carrying out household chores, the benefits of being able to extend their day in a way that also avoids the polluting and dangerous effects of kerosene are immeasurable.”

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Posted by AfricaSTI on May 22, 2012. Filed under Energy, Lead Stories. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry