Rural Electrification in Senegal

Development Needs in Rural Electrification

All over Africa and in many other developing nations around the world, agriculture is still a significant source of revenues for populations in rural areas. In many parts of Senegal, a lack of access to electricity prevents those populations from working more efficiently and on a year-long basis. The land is often worked on only during the rain season, three months in a year. During the rest of the year, the inability to power water pumps efficiently in the fields prevents any form of development and stable yearly income. This first chapter follows Amadou Kane, one of Senegal’s leading solar system installers on a journey in rural areas. He explains what are the practical needs at development level for rural populations and the positive impact photovoltaic solutions could have there.

Watch Over Your Head!

Near Fatik in South Senegal, we visit a village together with Amadou Kane and encounter some of the challenges involved in the installation of PV systems.

Solar Energy for Education

Electricity can truly improve the life of rural populations and help them improve their standards of living. The first step is education and near Fatik, we are given a number of convincing arguments on how electrification and photovoltaic solutions are the answer to providing better education and know-how to the new generation.

Watching the Whole Game

Someone once said that god is in the details...
Let’s find out and hear some rural anecdotes which point out the need for solar solutions which can help people in everyday practicalities, from the mosque to the football field!

Solar Energy vs. Gasoline

The price of oil has reached all time peaks in the course of 2008, sending a clear warning that we can no longer be dependent on what Herge, the father of Tintin called ‘the black gold’.
In this short video, Amadou Kane explains the simple arithmetic which makes a strong case for going green.

Off-Grid Installations: How Much Does it Cost?

If you ever looked for a way to understand the importance of the cost factor in rural off-grid electrification, you will learn a lot by watching Amadou Kane explaining the economics behind Solar Home Systems installations.