In this audio interview, we talk to Siten Mandalia, founder of Eternum Energy, a social enterprise that develops sustainable energy technology for Sub-Saharan African communities that are off the electricity grid.
Drawing on their research at Imperial College, United Kingdom, and on community feedback gathered during pilot projects in Malawi and Tanzania, Mandalia and his team created Solaris, a device that uses sunshine to charge items such as lamps and mobile phones. Through a network of mentors and partners, Eternum identifies and trains local entrepreneurs in off-grid communities who rent the kit and charge local people to use it. Take a look at the image gallery below to see Solaris in action in Mwanza, Tanzania.
This podcast and image gallery kick off Leading Lights, a SciDev.Net series that will mark the UN’s International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies. Throughout the year, we will interview researchers, entrepreneurs and designers working at the interface of light technology and global development. The series will showcase diverse light-based technologies designed to benefit people and development in low-income countries — for example by meeting basic energy needs, delivering medical services or aiding communication.
