Collecting, Storing, and Using Solar Thermal Energy by Those in Regions of Conflict
by SunBuckets Inc.
THE CHALLENGE
The issue of energy insecurity is rife in conflict-affected regions. With rampant poverty and infrastructural damage, settings of conflict host some of the most energy-impoverished communities in the world. In large refugee and IDP camps such as Kenya’s Kakuma Refugee Camp, which hosts 160,000 refugees and is situated in one of Kenya’s most impoverished counties, access to sufficient and sustainable energy is limited. Consequently, refugees and IDPs often resort to the burning of firewood and charcoal to produce the energy needed for cooking and lighting. This has several negative consequences, including environmental degradation, exposure to harmful toxins, and risks of sexual and gender-based violence for women when collecting firewood.
THE SOLUTION
To address this issue, Sun Buckets developed the first and only commercially available solar/thermal energy cooking solution that is both safe and portable, and that enables the collection and storage of renewable solar energy for subsequent use even after dark. Sun Buckets piloted the technology in UNHCR’s Kakuma refugee camp and Kalobeyei integrated settlement in Kenya. By the end of their funding, 31 Sun Buckets were deployed across seven cooking centres in the camp and host community, providing 2,406 refugees across 561 households with access to a safer and healthier cooking option. The results of a user feedback survey demonstrated widespread satisfaction with the new clean and affordable cooking model, and a total of 2,275 (94.6%) users reported using the Sun Bucket for cooking at least 3 times per week. Such widespread usage has reduced users’ exposure to harmful toxins from burning firewood and charcoal, thereby conferring health benefits alongside myriad environmental ones. Through their innovative PAYGO financing—which relies on credit arrangements that allow the continued supply of solar lighting components despite payments released in parallel with sales—Sun Buckets has also developed an affordable market-based energy access model.
