How about hygrid for Kenya?
There was a great article in Wired Magazine about hygrid. (plugging into the energy grid and feeding your excess energy generated from privately owned solar systems.) They finally have a link to the story. The writer Daniel Pink is quite witty. “…hygrid is the new prius”. He titles the piece “The new power generation” ala Prince’s band (how cool). Anyway, now to the meat and potatoes of the article…The main pieces of hygrid are the inverter which is tied to the grid, solar panels, battery panel, storage tanks for solar heated water & geothermal heat pumps.
“Thanks to advances in technology and changes in public policy over the past 10 years, however the cost of solar has nearly halved again and continues to fall, according to the US National Renewable energy Lab” It can still be pricey to hygrid he points out, but some states subsidize homeowners who want to use solar and other renewable energy sources. “If hygridders produce more energy than they can use or store, local utilities are required to buy it from them and credit their electric bills”
This is amazing to me. Imagine for a moment that the focus of Kenya's energy policy could include this idea into its current framework, and that of solar in general. I bet we have several mechanical and electronic engineers who can hook this up. I was glad to read from Bankelele that Barclays would provide loans for solar energy projects. Tax cuts from the government would also help the already overtaxed populace. Imagine setting up a solar system for your family, not getting a bill, instead getting a check as credit for selling back your energy to Kenya power. Solarbuzz has some great information on solar energy, including conferences and fairs coming up. In Kenya, solagen, kenital etc.
Side note: Via Kenyan Embassy
Prof. Wangari Maathai's Meeting with Kenyans
We wish to kindly inform that Prof.Wangari Maathai''s meeting with Kenyan nationals this Friday, May 13, 2005, at the Embassy will run between 6.00-8.00 p.m. Kenya EmbassyWashington, D.C.
UPDATE: There were some great ideas in the comments section, just wanted to include them here..
Mental: "This would be espically useful for places where KP&L feel it is uneconomical to operate."
Memoire:"I was thinking about the excesses of vehicle use in Kenya and the gvt ought also to be quick about developing a train/tram network in Nbi/major towns otherwise Kenya will go down the US route of over-contributing to pollution levels."
MJY:"Setting up a solar system is not just a good idea financially but also for our environment. We are already placing a huge burden on mother earth yet she so readily gives us safer, natural options."
“Thanks to advances in technology and changes in public policy over the past 10 years, however the cost of solar has nearly halved again and continues to fall, according to the US National Renewable energy Lab” It can still be pricey to hygrid he points out, but some states subsidize homeowners who want to use solar and other renewable energy sources. “If hygridders produce more energy than they can use or store, local utilities are required to buy it from them and credit their electric bills”
This is amazing to me. Imagine for a moment that the focus of Kenya's energy policy could include this idea into its current framework, and that of solar in general. I bet we have several mechanical and electronic engineers who can hook this up. I was glad to read from Bankelele that Barclays would provide loans for solar energy projects. Tax cuts from the government would also help the already overtaxed populace. Imagine setting up a solar system for your family, not getting a bill, instead getting a check as credit for selling back your energy to Kenya power. Solarbuzz has some great information on solar energy, including conferences and fairs coming up. In Kenya, solagen, kenital etc.
Side note: Via Kenyan Embassy
Prof. Wangari Maathai's Meeting with Kenyans
We wish to kindly inform that Prof.Wangari Maathai''s meeting with Kenyan nationals this Friday, May 13, 2005, at the Embassy will run between 6.00-8.00 p.m. Kenya EmbassyWashington, D.C.
UPDATE: There were some great ideas in the comments section, just wanted to include them here..
Mental: "This would be espically useful for places where KP&L feel it is uneconomical to operate."
Memoire:"I was thinking about the excesses of vehicle use in Kenya and the gvt ought also to be quick about developing a train/tram network in Nbi/major towns otherwise Kenya will go down the US route of over-contributing to pollution levels."
MJY:"Setting up a solar system is not just a good idea financially but also for our environment. We are already placing a huge burden on mother earth yet she so readily gives us safer, natural options."
posted by Afromusing at
5/11/2005 05:34:00 PM
6 Comments:
Afromusing, I applaud your obvious enthusiasm for solar energy as a means out of the energy mess in the world in general, and Kenya in particular. I hope we live to see the day that Kenyan consumers will actually get credit from KP&L for using solar energy. Kudos to Barclays Bank for the amazing initiative...
Wish I lived in the DC area! I so admire Professor Maathai...
I like your "thinking outside the box" style. Interesting idea here. I will always be interested in anything that might get the governemnet to give me some money! :-) This would be espically useful for places where KP&L feel it is uneconomical to operate.
Your blog always has amazing information.
Setting up a solar system is not just a good idea financially but also for our environment. We are already placing a huge burden on mother earth yet she so readily gives us safer, natural options.
Excellent post, Afromusing; we need all the environmentally-friendly efforts we can get. I was thinking about the excesses of vehicle use in Kenya and the gvt ought also to be quick about developing a train/tram network in Nbi/major towns otherwise Kenya will go down the US route of over-contributing to pollution levels.
Hey Irene!always great to read from you, i passed along prof.Maathai's meeting times to wanjiru a member ofKBW, i hope she blogs about it.
Mental, you bring up a great point!
MJY, i crave strawberries each time i check out your site! and yes i agree that natural is better (what with rising cancer rates worldwide?)
Memoire, I am nodding my head vigorously!That is a great thought. Especially since we have a rich natural heritage to begin with, its only right for us to respect and preserve it.
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