Solar lamps give learners power to make their dreams valid

Children from poor backgrounds in Imenti South, Meru County, can now study at night after they received solar lamps.

Solarpoa East Africa, a green energy company, donated solar lamps to two schools in an effort to reach out to households that are not connected to the national grid. Several bright pupils from families relying on kerosene lamps received the solar lamps at Geeto and Gatuntune primary schools.

Solarpoa East Africa head of communications Collins Kinoti said the lamps will help the families cut down on the cost of kerosene and torch batteries.

The solar lamps can provide light for up to six hours.

They are manufactured by Yingli Solar, one of the world’s largest solar panel manufacturers, in partnership with UK charity SolarAid who have sold and distributed over two million solar lights in Africa.

“The lamp is charged directly from the sun. The company donated the lamps to the less fortunate but bright children to help them study at night. The high cost of kerosene and the smoke produced by the lamps come with more costs for households,” said Mr Kinoti.

Pupils who received the lamps said they will have an easy time reading at home, noting that kerosene lamps produce poor light besides the smoke.

Solarpoa’s initiative comes at a time when the country is implementing the Energy (Solar Water Heating) Regulations 2012, which require all residential buildings to be installed with solar heaters.

“Our goal is to support the growth of the solar industry in Kenya, create new green jobs and empower rural  communities,” said Mr Kinoti.