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From the Lab to the Village: How EU Funding is Powering a Solar Revolution in Kenya

 Through European Union funding, a researcher at Strathmore University has developed Sunsafe, a smartphone app that guides informal technicians in designing compatible systems. 

SunSafe App guides technicians to design compatible systems
© Strathmore University

In rural Kenya, access to clean energy remains a challenge with over 80% of households relying on firewood and charcoal for cooking. 

Through the EU-funded research under the Long-Term Europe Africa Partnership on Renewable Energy (LEAP-RE) initiative, Anne Wacera Wambugu, a researcher at Strathmore University, addresses these issues.

To bridge the gap between research and real-world application, the project launched Sunsafe, a smartphone app that guides informal technicians in designing compatible systems. By professionalising the informal sector, the app restores trust in solar energy.

This research demonstrates the impact of international collaboration, where EU funding supports African-led innovation. The findings highlight the importance of context-specific solutions in advancing clean energy access.

Key achievements

  • Development of hyper-efficient electric pressure cookers, reducing power consumption by 40%,
  • Data-driven models to optimise off-grid solar systems
  • To bridge the gap between research and real-world application, the project launched Sunsafe, a smartphone app that guides informal technicians in designing compatible systems.

  • These innovations ensure technical and financial sustainability for rural communities, and by professionalising the informal sector, the Sunsafe app restores trust in solar energy.

    Through the EU-funded research under the Long-Term Europe Africa Partnership on Renewable Energy (LEAP-RE) initiative, Anne Wacera Wambugu, a researcher at Strathmore University, addresses these issues.