Light over Africa

Light over africa - Folkecenter - Little Sun

PROJECT DETAILS

Project partners:Nordic Folkecenter for Renewable Energy
Joint Energy and Environment Projects (JEEP Folkecenter)
Mali Folkecenter Nyetaa
Kologh Naba
Project countries:Denmark, Uganda, Mali, Burkina Faso
Type of project:Social impact
Funding:Danske Commodities

PUBLICATIONS

LIGHT over AFRICA brochureDownload in EnglishDownload in French
LIGHT over AFRICA bookPrice: 120 DKK/17 €Contact us for ordering

PROJECT NEWS

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Light over Africa is a project aimed at delivering solar electrification to public interest buildings (mainly schools and clinics) in Mali, Uganda and Burkina Faso. We work in collaboration with trusted local NGOs, to ensure the proper installation quality and to secure the needed training. They help us selecting the schools which should receive the donation and they take care to properly educate the technicians.

The project started in 1998 from a wish of Nordic Folkecenter to give a concrete help to rural districts in developing countries. Rural areas are often the last ones to receive infrastructure, despite their importance for a country.

The electrification rate in Africa is among the lowest in the world and this situation in even more difficult in rural districts, where only few people have access to electricity. To us, from the industrialized part of the world, living without electricity (and the associated commodities) seems impossible, but that’s the daily challenge for the locals.

Lack of electricity is a lack of development

We wanted to tackle this problem in a serious way, so we asked ourselves how could we have the biggest impact. The answer was simple: by involving schools.

Schools are the cradle of a community: here is where people are formed, so what’s a better place for promoting renewable energies than a school?

The idea is simple: every village gets a solar PV installation which is installed on the school’s facilities, so that four hours of artificial light is guaranteed every day. In this way, children can use the school during the day, while the parents can attend evening classes, therefore increasing their working possibilities.

The installation is not coming as a given: instead, local electricians are trained to take care of it, so that the operation of the system can be guaranteed for many years.

Light over Africa - Schools during the night- Folkecenter
During the day, when the sun shines, batteries are charged
Light over Africa - Schools at night - Folkecenter
At night, the stored solar energy is used to provide light

THE GOAL OF THE PROJECT

The goal of the project is to provide 10,000 systems to the schools

See full screen

THE PRICE FOR AN INSTALLATION

The project is financed on a donation basis. In the years of the project we have received donations from individuals, organizations and even private companies, who are happy to invest your CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) to support the initiative.

Installing a system for a school costs about 7500 DKK, APPROX. 1000 €; this sum includes:

  • 1 x 100 W PV panel
  • 1 x charge controller
  • 1 x 100 Ah sealed battery
  • 10 x 10 W LED lighting armaturers with special sockets
  • 1 x on/off switch in each classroom
  • Salaries for the local NGO to educate the technicians

It takes 10 million € to give light to 2 million people – that is only 5 € per person.

Light over Africa - Folkecenter - installation

DO YOU WANT TO BE A PART OF THE PROJECT?

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PROJECT STORIES

Danske commodities - Light over Africa SROI - Folkecenter

DANSKE COMMODITIES

Danske Commodities have invested for three years in row in the project, allowing Mali to have 30 new installations for every year.

You can find their SROI (Social Return on Investment) reports here:

Danske Commodities – 2018

Danske Commodities – 2019

Danske Commodities – 2020

NORDLYS

In the project “Lys i Africa” (Light in Africa), Nordlys (earlier named ENERGINORD) have three options to donate to a solar-powered lamp called “Little sun” in Uganda:

  1. Buy “Light in Africa” electricity, in which case 0.02 DKK (0.0027 €) per sold kilowatt will be devoted to the project. This results, on average, in two solar lamps per household/year;
  2. Pay 100 DKK (13.44 €) to send a solar lamp to Uganda;
  3. Buy a solar lamp, which leads to both distribution of the solar lamp to locals and PV installation in Uganda. NORDLYS pays 10 DKK (1.34 €) for each sale, to install PV systems at schools & clinics);

Until 2015, the number of solar lamps sent to Uganda was 28,500.

Light over Africa - Energinord - Folkecenter

INSTALLATIONS

[Under update]

  Receiver System Region Country Year Donor
1 Nordic Folkecenter for Renewable Energy Educational institution Denmark
2 Mali Folkecenter NYETAA Educational institution Mali
3 JEEP Folkecenter Educational institution Uganda
4 Community of Bougoula Solar lighting Koulikoro Mali 2011 –
5 Community in Kossa Solar lighting Koulikoro Mali 2009 BØRNEfonden
6 Community in Bougoula Solar water pumping Koulikoro Mali 2015 –
7 Community in Massigui Solar mini-grid Koulikoro Mali 2015 –
8 Community in Monzonblena Solar lighting Koulikoro Mali 2009 BØRNEfonden
9 Community in Zanbala Solar lighting + solar water pumping Koulikoro Mali 2002 Danida
10 Massigui School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Preben Maegaard’s 75th birthday
11 Zanbala clinic Solar refrigerator Sikasso Mali 2002 Danida
12 Bafaga Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali – IsF Rioja
13 Bamba Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
14 Banankélé School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
15 Banzana Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
16 Beko Sokoro Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali – IsF Rioja
17 Community in Falani-Fadia Solar lighting + solar phone charging Sikasso Mali 2005 MMC
18 Community in Niamala Solar lighting + solar water pumping Sikasso Mali 2002 Danida
19 Community in Tabakoro Solar lighting + solar water pumping Sikasso Mali 2002 Danida
20 Community in Tinankolomba Solar ligthing + solar phone charging Sikasso Mali 2005 MMC
21 Défina Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
22 Dègné Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
23 Diaka Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali – IsF Rioja
24 Djiné Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
25 Djiné School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Preben Maegaard’s 75th birthday
26 Djinètoumanina Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
27 Djinètoumanina School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
28 Djinètoumanina School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2012 Merkur Cooperative Bank
29 Djissan (Kolondieba) School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Preben Maegaard’s 75th birthday
30 Domba School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Preben Maegaard’s 75th birthday
31 Doussoudiana Clinic I Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
32 Doussoudiana School II Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
33 Doussoudiana School III Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2012 Merkur Cooperative Bank
34 Fangala Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
35 Farabalé Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
36 Farabalé School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
37 Filamana Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
38 Filamana School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2012 Merkur Cooperative Bank
39 Foulalaba School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
40 Gouna School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
41 Kandirila Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
42 Kandjirila School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2012 Merkur Cooperative Bank
43 Kara (kolondieba) School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Preben Maegaard’s 75th birthday
44 Kébila Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali – IsF Rioja
45 Kodjougou School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Preben Maegaard’s 75th birthday
46 Kola Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2012 IsF Rioja
47 Koniko Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
48 Konza Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2002 IsF Rioja
49 Koumantou School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2002 Danida
50 Madina Diassa Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
51 Madina Diassa School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
52 Madina Diassa School 2 Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2012 Merkur Cooperative Bank
53 Mafèlè Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
54 Mafèlè School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
55 Makana (Kolondieba) School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Preben Maegaard’s 75th birthday
56 Mamissan Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali – IsF Rioja
57 Mena (Kolondieba) School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Preben Maegaard’s 75th birthday
58 Narembougou Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
59 Narembougou School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
60 Narembougou School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
61 Niamala Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2002 Danida
62 Sanankourouni Clinic Solar refrigeration Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
63 Sandougoula School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
64 Sangaredjing School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
65 Siékorolé Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
66 Siékorolé School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
67 Simpiyala Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
68 Simpiyala School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
69 Sodioula Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2002 IsF Rioja
70 Sola School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Preben Maegaard’s 75th birthday
71 Soromba Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
72 Soromba school Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
73 Tabakoro Clinic Solar refrigeration Sikasso Mali 2002 Danida
74 Tadougoukondié Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali – IsF Rioja
75 Worompana Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
76 Worompana School Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
77 Zanso Clinic Solar lighting Sikasso Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
78 San School Solar lighting Ségou Mali 2014
79 Ber Clinic Solar lighting Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
80 Ber School Solar lighting Tombouctou Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
81 Community in Tombouctou Solar water pumping Tombouctou Mali 2009 –
82 Er Intedjeft Clinic Solar lighting Tombouctou Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
83 Er Intedjeft School Solar lighting Tombouctou Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
84 Tehardjé Clinic Solar lighting Tombouctou Mali 2011 Merkur Cooperative Bank
85 Koussané School Solar lighting Tombouctou Mali 2011 –
86 Bumangi Primary School Solar lighting Central Region Uganda 2011-2012 CISU
87 Buzzibwera Secondary School Solar lighting + solar phone charger Central Region Uganda 2014 EN
88 Community in Buikwe Providing solar lanterns Central Region Uganda 2011-2012 SS
89 Community in Kalangala Providing solar lantern Central Region Uganda 2011-2015 EN
90 Community in Luweero Providing solar lanterns Central Region Uganda 2011-2013 EN
91 Community in Mpigi Providing solar lanterns Central Region Uganda 2011-2015 EN
92 Community in Mukono Providing solar lantern Central Region Uganda 2011-2012 EN
93 Community in Nakasongola Providing solar lanterns Central Region Uganda 2011-2012 SEED
94 Community in Wabutungulu Solar phone charge Central Region Uganda 2008 SEED
95 Energy shop in Kiyoola Solar phone charger Central Region Uganda 2009 PD
96 Energy shop in Ssese islands Solar phone charger Central Region Uganda 2009 PD
97 Energy shop in Wabutungulu Solar phone charger Central Region Uganda 2008 CISU
98 Kibazo Primary School Solar lighting Central Region Uganda 2011-2012 CISU
99 Kyetume Primary School Solar lighting Central Region Uganda 2011-2012 CISU
100 St. Charles Lwanga Kibaale Primary School Solar lighting Central Region Uganda 2014 MCB
101 St. Kizito Bbeta Primary School Solar lighting Central Region Uganda 2011-2012 CISU
102 St. Kizito Primary School Solar lighting Central Region Uganda 2014 MCB
103 St. Maria Gorrett Primary School Solar lighting Central Region Uganda 2011-2012 CISU
104 St. Mary’s Kimera Primary School Solar lighting + solar phone charger Central Region Uganda 2014 EN
105 Wabutungulu Primary School Solar lighting Central Region Uganda 2011-2012 CISU

PROJECT PARTNERS

Mali Folkecenter Nyetaa

Mali Folkecenter Nyetaa

JEEP Folkecenter

Joint Energy and Environment Projects (JEEP Folkecenter)

KOLOGH NABA

Nordic Folkecenter for Renewable Energy