The project is motivated by the belief that it is important to focus on small community-scale renewable energy projects as well as large scale, as they democratize energy by uplifting rural communities which would otherwise be left behind.
Rural communities like these often rely on kerosene and/or diesel to generate power, which are potentially harmful to both personal health and the environment. SONGs aim to provide clean, reliable and affordable electricity to these small off-grid communities. SONGs are designed to:
- Improve food security by powering crop irrigation and grain-processing machines
- Reduce indoor air pollution by reducing the use of fossil fuels such as kerosene and diesel
- Enhance the conservation of landscapes by reducing the unsustainable exploitation of natural resources
- Stimulate local economic growth by powering appliances such as milling machines, egg incubators and sewing machines which can be used to produce marketable commodities
For example, in Kenya, children from electrified households gain roughly two more years of ‘educational achievement’ relative to those from non-electrified households.
Female-inclusive community Q&A session about sign ups
Children learning about the hub
Cutting hair using a car battery in Lemolo B