"The study examines the coverage of solar energy in East African news media, specifically focusing on 63 stories from a leading daily newspaper and television station in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from January to December 2023. Reporters and editors have reported limited coverage of solar energy du
...
e to various factors, including: lack of knowledge; budget constraints; market unattractiveness of solar energy stories; lack of knowledge among farmers, solar technology suppliers, and stakeholders; and lack of reporters specialising in solar energy coverage. The study found that solar energy stories were rarely featured on the front page of three publications over the 12 months monitored. Most stories in the three studied publications appeared on pages beyond page 5. News stories dominated coverage of solar energy across the three countries, accounting for 8 out of every ten solar-related stories in newspapers and television. Conventional news reporting (he-said-she-said) made up most of the coverage. Solar energy use in agriculture (Productive Use of Solar Energy in agriculture) Findings reveal that out of the total coverage, 30 stories (representing 47.6%) focused on solar energy use in agriculture. The highest number out of these 30 stories addressed issues of financing off-grid solar solutions and community impact. Stories on solar entrepreneurship and innovation came second, followed by PUSE stakeholder coordination and ecosystem support." (Executive summary)
more
"The purpose of this Learning Brief is to share key lessons to inform future efforts to effect systems-level change in humanitarian response, seeking to create positive transformational change. Given that transformation is an unfolding, open-ended process, we acknowledge that our learning is an ongo
...
ing journey. Our key lessons derive from the systems impact assessment of the Renewable Energy for Refugees (RE4R) project, supported by the IKEA Foundation and implemented in a partnership between Practical Action and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency between April 2017 and February 2022. RE4R sought to reshape global humanitarian response to adopt (and adapt) market-based renewable energy (RE) models demonstrated in three refugee camps and host communities in Rwanda and the city of Irbid in Jordan. In addition to providing sustainable, efficient, affordable, and reliable RE solutions for refugees, host communities, and institutions in humanitarian settings, the market-based RE approaches piloted by RE4R sought to provide long-term economic improvement for target populations." (Introduction)
more
"This document takes an in-depth look at the conversion to 100% solar power operation at a small community radio station called Mayardit FM in Turalei, South Sudan. Since the installation of the solar system in March 2016, the station has operated on 100% solar power (including its transmission), br
...
oadcasting up to 16 hours a day, every day of the week. To date, the system has had zero downtime. This report was written to share learning with others who may be considering whether solar power would be suitable for their station(s). The first section describes the South Sudan context, background, and purpose of the project. The second section provides a case study of the solar power conversion at Mayardit FM, including technical specifications, user-centered design considerations, costings, and lessons learned from the first months of operation. The third section serves as a “how to” manual, which can be used by anyone interested in designing a solar system and weighing its feasibility for their own radio station." (Executive summary)
more
« De l’énergie pour les radios » est un guide sur la gestion de l’énergie pour les radios communautaires et locales. Ce guide se veut un outil pour les directeurs et les responsables des stations de radio confrontés à la question de l’alimentation énergétique de leurs stations. Il les
...
aidera à comprendre le b.a.ba des diverses sources et technologies d’énergie, en particulier les générateurs, les éoliennes, les systèmes hydrauliques, solaires et hybrides. Ce guide attire aussi l’attention sur toute une série d’aspects et de questions incontournables pour parvenir à des « décisions éclairées », en particulier l’évaluation des besoins énergétiques, le stockae, la protection et la régulation. Il inclut des feuilles de calcul pour l’évaluation des besoins énergétiques et la comparaison entre les divers systèmes et sources d’énergies." (www.cameco.org)
more
"In this paper we will explain the technological changes that have made solar power cost feasible for PC deployments, and provide an overview of how to design for a solar powered PC deployment. The objective of this paper is not to replace the need for an experienced solar installer; rather, it is t
...
o provide basic knowledge to help the reader prepare a budget for a solar deployment, and to be able to effectively communicate the requirements to an installer."
more
This guide supports managers and operators as they tackle the energy issue at their station, helping to understand the various sources and technologies of energy, especially gensets, wind and hydro turbines, solar and hybrid systems. The guide is structured around five steps towards improving energy
...
management at a station: assessing energy needs; identifying potential energy savings; selecting appropriate energy system and technology – both for energy generation and for energy storage and regulation; planning for the long-term management of the system; selecting and working with energy technology providers to plan and install technology. The guide also includes case studies describing the experiences of radio stations in Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania, Haiti and Indonesia where renewable energy technologies have been implemented. Worksheets and a list of key resources add to the usefulness of the publication.
more