Solar Power In Africa
Global Cool Foundation supports the delivery of solar technology in Zambia to give communities and households access to clean and renewable energy. The programme is delivered by SolarAid, a separate UK registered charity: Global Cool Foundation grants funds from our partnership with Vodafone UK.
In Zambia there is a pressing need for clean, inexpensive energy for poor, rural families. The great majority of households use kerosene and candles for lighting and wood for cooking. Kerosene is not only expensive but damages both the health of the users and the environment.
This project provides people living in rural Zambia with affordable, sustainable and clean energy options reducing their reliance on CO2 emitting fuels like kerosene. It has two main strands:
- The installation of solar photovoltaic cells onto 100 schools, community centres and health clinics. The end users are trained to manage and maintain the systems and how to use those systems to generate income.
- The training of local entrepreneurs to build and sell solar charging devices, which can power radios, solar mobile phones and solar lamps. Trainees receive technical training, business planning and marketing support that helps them set up self-sustaining income generating enterprises. The microsolar products can then be sold to rural populations providing them with a viable alternative to kerosene.
Both aspects of the project deliberately include income generation and training as this will allow the project to endure into the future and become financially self-sufficient.
Impact
The Solar Power Project has already had an impact: reducing carbon emissions, improving the health of the most disadvantaged, improving community services and literacy through access to light, and income generation.
Feedback from local people and politicians has been positive:
“These micro solar panels and lights are exactly what are needed in rural areas. People are burning kerosene and candles every day and spending money on batteries all the time. These products will give people a choice.” – Doel Chilimboyi, District Commissioner, Mumbwa district, Zambia
Also in this section
Our Campaigns
Global Cool - a green lifestyle movement that works with the entertainment and media industries to inspire people to think differently about sustainable lifestyles
Projects We Support
Project Genie - a programme that tackles climate change through children, based on the belief that children are one of the quickest routes to changing behaviours
Solar Power in Africa - supporting the roll-out of solar technology in Zambia to give communities and households access to clean and renewable energy
Praise for the Global Cool Campaign
"This is a fantastic organization working to help people find ways to save energy and be greener without sacrificing the things they enjoy.'" - Boris Johnson, Mayor of London
"Global Cool does a great job" - Ed Miliband MP, Then Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change
"Global Cool is tackling one of the most important challenges facing humanity. What Global Cool is doing is brilliant" - Dame Suzi Leather, Chair, Charity Commission
"I need guidance. I really want to do well, but I honestly don't know how to do well unless somebody tells me.... and that's where Global Cool has a future" - Stephen Fry, British Actor
"Global Cool is such an energizing idea and non-profit... and incredibly impressively communicated and shared" - Sarah Teacher, Institute for Philanthropy
“Global Cool uses extensive market research to make carbon - saving cool rather than boring. And so has an influence beyond the usual Guardian-reading liberals. I’m impressed." - Ellie Stringer, New Philanthropy Capital
"We really value our relationship with Global Cool. Their campaign to promote ‘Traincations’ was highly imaginative and in terms of positioning they are a great brand fit for us" - Emma Harris, Director of Sales & Marketing, Eurostar
Our supporters include:
