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For Solar Irrigation to Grow, the Pump Needs to be Innovative – So Does the Warranty
Helen Davies at Futurepump writes that the startup has developed a cost-effective, solar-based pump to irrigate crops that is simple to use and maintain, and designed specifically with small rural farms in mind. The firm has already sold 4,000 units and is distributing in 11 African and Asian countries. But beyond the technology, an equally important innovation is the company's five-year warranty on the product, which Davies says is an industry first. She makes the case that solar device makers operating in low-income markets need to stand behind their products with warrantees and service, if customers are going to trust the technology and the manufacturers.
- Categories
- Agriculture, Energy, Technology
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MIT Clean Energy Prize rewards student innovation
Robust batteries, solar refrigeration, UV membrane cleaner, and smart factory technologies take home $140,000 in prize money.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- North America
- Tags
- renewable energy
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It’s Time to Measure the Effectiveness of Investing in Global Goals
Climate change is a defining issue of our time, and the global financial community has responded with a series of investing frameworks, stock exchanges and other activities to encourage private investment in climate change-focused initiatives. Despite these efforts, evidence suggests we are still off track to hit global targets. William Burckart and Steve Lydenberg of The Investment Integration Project discuss their new report, which advocates a new paradigm for measuring the effectiveness of investing in SDGs – and uses climate change investment to illustrate how this approach could work.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Impact Assessment, Investing
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Solar Investment Powers Ahead And Africa Opens Up
Activity in emerging markets continues to grow. China once again accounted for more than 40% of the world’s total investment in renewable energy , and large scale projects reached financial close in Morocco, Vietnam, Indonesia and Mexico.
- Categories
- Energy
- Tags
- renewable energy
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World’s 1st Renewable Mini-Grid Industry Association Established in Africa to Help Drive Economic Development
Today, the Africa Mini-grid Developers Association (AMDA) announced its official establishment. The trade association — currently numbering 11 member companies including innovative start-ups and established utilities — aims to combine private sector innovation, efficiency, and customer service with public sector support to help end energy poverty across Africa.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Solar firm Angaza wins Sh125m innovation award
The platform has helped digital finance service providers fill the market gaps that traditional brick-and-mortar financial institutions avoid in impoverished urban centres and rural communities.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Empowering Women-Owned Enterprises To Solve Local Energy Challenges
Lack of access to electricity continues to plague many African countries, including Uganda, where up to 80% of the population lives without power. Given the increasing demand, it will take more than the Ugandan government to power up the East African country.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Engie and Fenix to bring affordable power to the Africans living off-grid
Engie Africa and off-grid energy company Fenix International have closed their acquisition agreement, a move that aims to provide safe and affordable energy to millions of households across Africa
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa