Description
Project Name: MEC Africa
Project owner: MEC
Standard: Verra VCS
Project ID: 2835-2839
The purpose of this project is the dissemination of clean energy products in Africa.
The Programme will mainly promote clean energy product known as Solar Electric Lights.
The solar lighting systems disseminated under this program will slash down carbon emissions, and will provide light for low-income households in rural regions of Kenya and Uganda.
Many microfinance clients suffer from energy poverty, impacting their health, their ability to educate their children, and their ability to save and accumulate wealth.
MEC addresses these barriers by working with microfinance institutions to market affordable, reliable clean energy products right to doorstep of the microentrepreneurs.
In these countries, for lighting, there is either no grid connection or frequent power outages and low voltage so rural households must use kerosene for indoor lighting. The kerosene used for indoor lighting, also contributes to indoor air pollution.
The new clean energy products will increase energy efficiency of the households in Kenya & Uganda. The solar lighting reduces the need to kerosene lamps in the house.
MicroEnergy Credits (MEC) is a social enterprise that helps microentrepreneurs and low-income households in developing countries to invest in clean energy through their local microfinance institution. Many microentrepreneurs and households lack access to clean energy technologies due to economic barriers and market inefficiencies. MEC addresses these barriers by working with microfinance institutions to market affordable, reliable clean energy products right to doorstep of the microentrepreneurs.
Impact
MEC used the local workforce to implement the program.
The installation of the insulation is done by local people who are trained about how the technology works.
Many households lack access to clean energy technologies due to lack of access to upfront finance or lack of awareness of clean energy products and their value proposition
MEC addresses these barriers by working with microfinance institutions to market affordable, reliable clean energy products.
The project activity involves the introduction of solar lighting systems into households.
These solar lighting devices will help households to reduce their kerosene consumption and thus reduce their kerose bills.
