Solar installers place solar panels on the roof of a residential home. PHOTO/COURTESY
By PATRICK MAYOYO
newsdesk@reporter.co.ke
A new report has confirmed that Solar is now the fastest growing energy source in the world, and is making a major impact in Africa.
The International Energy Agency report  on renewables forecasts that off-grid solar capacity in Africa is set to almost triple in the next five years, saying that it will “bring basic electricity services to almost 70 million more people in Asia and sub Saharan Africa”.
The IEA has found that the amount of power from solar grew by more than 50 percent, and has officially increased energy output globally at a faster rate than any other fuel.
The report specifically highlights off-grid solar as a ‘dynamic’ sector set to accelerate this growth.
Lumos Global, a company that offers one of the fastest growing off-grid solar services in Africa, is at the forefront of this expansion.

A family enjoying the power of solar in their house. PHOTO/ LUMOS GLOBAL
Lumos Global launched its Mobile Electricity Service and the Y’ello Box in partnership with MTN in Nigeria earlier this year. The device transforms the sun’s energy into electricity and is paid for via your mobile phone.
According to the IEA, off-grid capacity in Africa and Asia is set to reach “over 3000 MW in 2022.” CEO of Lumos Nigeria, Yuri Tsitrinbaum, said:

“This is the latest evidence that off-grid solar is providing the answer to growing energy demand in Africa. There is no other option available that can provide energy that is as affordable, reliable, and clean,” CEO of Lumos Nigeria, Yuri Tsitrinbaum, said.

Mr Tsitrinbaum said Lumos Global was changing the way people access electricity, and this was only the beginning.

“Mobile phones improved millions of lives, and now we are seeing the same thing with mobile electricity,” he said.

A shopkeeper attends to customer in a solar powered shop. PHOTO/LUMOS GLOBAL
Lumos Mobile Electricity Service is available at MTN stores across Nigeria. By subscribing to the service, customers get one of the revolutionary Y’ello Box systems that converts solar energy into electricity for the home, paid for by phone credit and a simple text message.

“It’s reliable, affordable and powerful,” he said.
The IEA report projects that over the next five years, services like Lumos will be the catalysts and drivers of innovative payment solutions that can allow low-income populations access to electricity.