At Solar & Storage Live in Birmingham, Richard Turner, Fundraising Director at SolarAid, discussed the organisation’s mission to bring solar energy to off-grid communities in Africa.
Richard dove into SolarAid’s innovative solar technology, how the charity establishes sustainable business models, and how the industry can collaborate to tackle energy poverty.
Interview with Richard Turner, Fundraising Director at SolarAid
“The International Energy Agency forecasts that half a billion people in Africa will still be without electricity unless something changes … change is possible – the technology exists.”
Xtra: What is SolarAid’s role in the industry?
Richard: SolarAid was born from the solar industry. It was set up by an entrepreneur who, when he started his solar business, decided to give 5% of their profits to a solar charity – but they couldn’t find one. So, they created SolarAid back in 2006.
We operate and focus our work in Africa, where many people lack access to electricity and must rely on alternatives like kerosene, candles, or even burning straw grass.
With access to solar technology, they have a safe, affordable alternative that provides bright light in their homes and helps charge devices, which can make a real difference for families in remote locations across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Xtra: Can you walk us through some of the technology?
Richard: We have handheld solar lights that we introduce to communities. Even though we’re a charity, we don’t give them away – we sell them or train people to sell them.
Often, women make fantastic solar entrepreneurs. In Malawi, we call them “Mayi Wala”, which means “Shining Mother” in the local language. This allows people to earn an income and creates jobs.
The products go even further! One of my favourites is a light which can illuminate an entire room or a desk. It has an adjustable setting and comes with a separate solar panel that can be placed on a rooftop.
We’ve seen health centres use this technology – imagine a maternity ward where an expectant mother gives birth at night. Instead of relying on candles – or midwives holding phones in their mouths for light – this provides a safe and reliable alternative. Products like these are real game-changers.
What excites us most at the moment is this solar home system. It includes a separate panel, a battery unit, and three lights. The battery can also charge a radio or mobile phone.
Xtra: What challenges have SolarAid tackled?
Richard: A big challenge is making these solar systems affordable for the poorest communities – those living on just a few dollars a day. That’s where SolarAid comes in.
One of our initiatives in Malawi, one of the world’s poorest countries, is enabling people to pay for energy as they use it – just like you or I do. We install the system, activate it, and people simply pay for the energy they consume.
We’ve priced it so that it costs less than buying candles, kerosene, or endless torch batteries. This creates a sustainable model, generating local jobs for those who collect payments and ensuring that we have the funds to replace parts when needed, such as LEDs or batteries after several years.
With this approach, we’re building a sustainable business model – one that governments are interested in because it’s scalable.
SolarAid has maintained its business principles from its founding days, keeping sustainability and accessibility at its core.
Xtra: How do you see SolarAid evolving over the next decade?
Richard: By the end of this decade, the International Energy Agency forecasts that half a billion people in Africa will still be without electricity unless something changes. The good news is that change is possible – the technology exists.
We’ll be launching a campaign called “100%” where our goal is to reach 100% of people in need. These communities stand to benefit the most from renewable energy, yet they are the ones being left behind.
We want to harness the energy of the solar industry to support us in implementing initiatives like this and sharing our learnings across Africa.
The African continent has seven of the ten sunniest countries in the world; it’s unbelievable that these communities don’t yet fully benefit from this incredible resource.
Xtra: Why is it important for SolarAid to attend Solar & Storage Live?
Richard: It’s so important for us to be at Solar & Storage Live because SolarAid was born from the solar industry. When we talk to people here, they understand our mission.
If we can harness that energy, we can engage solar installers and energy providers, reaching their customers – the people who increasingly care about both people and the planet.
This event is a starting point for us to take the next step to scaling up our efforts in bringing clean, sustainable energy to those who need it most.
With the London edition of Solar & Storage Live only weeks away, don’t forget to register for your free ticket and join us at the London ExCeL from 2-3 April 2025 – or find a Solar & Storage Live event closer to home.
