Microsol can simultaneously produce 50 MWh/year of electricity, 1 000 m3/year of drinking water and around 800 MWh of thermal energy and has an expected lifespan of 20 years.

Schneider Electric, market leaders in energy management with operations in more than a 100 countries has launched the project to benefit micro-industries located in rural areas of countries with high levels of sunshine such as Africa.

Microsol is based on the principle of cogeneration of electricity and heat – applying a new approach to solar thermodynamics. The solution focuses on the design of thermal storage that only uses environmentally friendly products.

It aims to meet three basic needs simultaneously. This is access to electricity that is reliable, efficient and inexpensive; clean drinking water and heat generation. It is a green solution, and guarantees zero greenhouse gas emissions, reduced deforestation and health problems owing to the clean production of heat and electricity. It uses easily recyclable steel and aluminium components.

Says Gilles Vermot Desroches, senior vice president, Sustainability, Schneider Electric, “All countries with high levels of sunshine are potential targets for marketing Microsol. However, because of its infrastructure needs, geographical location and economic models, it has been decided to focus on Africa. After market research it chose Kenya as pilot country as it met all favourable conditions for the establishment and development of this innovation energy solution.”

As Pradeep Monga, director of the Energy & Climate Change Branch of the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) said while attending the inauguration of the project. “This type of technology can help Africa’s poorest countries with its energy requirements.”