Bacteria-powered solar cell converts light to energy, even under overcast skies.

Bacteria-powered solar cell converts light to energy, even under overcast skies.University of British Columbia researchers have found a cheap, sustainable way to build a solar cell using bacteria that convert light to energy. Their cell generated a current stronger than any previously recorded from such a device, and worked as efficiently in dim light as in bright light. This innovation could be a step toward wider adoption of solar power in places like British Columbia and parts of northern Europe where overcast skies are common. With further development, these solar cells -- called "biogenic" because they are made of living organisms -- could become as efficient as the synthetic cells used in conventional solar panels.

FOOD PRESERVATION : HOW TO PREVENT POST HARVEST LOSSES AND ENSURE FOOD SECURITY AND SAFETY.

  Nigerian entrepreneur offers solution to post harvest losses. As a vegetable farmer himself, Ikegwuonu has first-hand experience of the huge post-harvest losses incurred because of a lack of cold storage.

In Nigeria, it is estimated about 60% of smallholder farmers’ fruits and vegetables spoil due to inadequate storage and agro-processing facilities. This idea can be extended by having a mobile cooling truck,from farm to markets.

The post harvest losses can be curbed by using solar dryers   a form of preservation and also extend shelf-life of produce.

 These cold hubs can also come in handy in the meat industry. Butchers that have left over beef  use cold rooms, but introducing a solar store  will save cost and ensure the cold chain is maintained.
 

Preservation and processing is a bullet proof method to curb waste and extend shelf-life of produce.

 Thinking of investing in the agricultural sector? then think along these lines, cold hub chains, cooling trucks, vans. The profitability will  increase if this venture is mobile, trucks collecting from designated points for onward delivery to the cold box or store.

Ikegwuonu is addressing this challenge with Cold Hubs – a solar-powered walk-in cold-room solution aimed at farmers, retailers, and wholesalers.

The cold rooms are installed at major food production and consumption centers, such as markets and farms.

Solar-powered vehicles, tricycle launched in Nigeria.

Solar-powered vehicles, tricycle launched in Nigeria. The days of being terribly drenched by rain while commuting on tricycle seem to have gone after the launch of Solar-powered and Electrical four and three-wheel vehicles in Nigeria. 

 The innovation aimed at enhancing transportation in Nigeria is in compliance with the United Nations struggle to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 13 on Climate action, officially known as Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

 This the Osun State Chairman of Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Adewale Folorunsho observed in saying: “It is clean and non-polluting with zero emissions.” “This is a very good innovation. We will be using the sun to make money now and not just fuel. It’s perfect for our country and environment,” 

Folorunsho noted.The technology was launched by a Nigeria-based company, Oldang International Limited at the Lekki Conservation Centre. 

 Speaking at the launch, Oldang Managing Director, Olubunmi Oluwadare said that the aim of this innovation and introduction to Nigeria is to create solution in transportation and also jobs through decent transportation system

 “Oldang electric solar-powered vehicle is a dual-powered vehicle it uses both electricity and solar, it enjoys a continuous charging when on the move through the abundant sun ray in our country and store such power in the battery in a situation of continuous rain or change in climax power can be stored with either PHCN and Generator. 

 “Solar-powered tricycles are vehicles of the future as individual get to know the negative impact of fossil fuels on the environment, health.

 It also serves as a source of job creation to non-operators of the tricycle.” Solar-powered vehicles, tricycle launched in Nigeria.

How to turn plastic bottles to solar bulbs.

How to turn plastic bottles to solar bulbs.

How to power your farm with Lumos light box.

How to power your farm with Lumos light box. Electricity is one of the largest expenses for poultry producers aside from feed cost and this is increasing thus alternative sources of lighting are explored.

Solar bulbs have been used on farms and also electricity generated from biogas,both of which have been successful. A recent study explored the use of LED bulbs and its potential to boost production and cutting electricity bills.

 Research has shown that light produced by LEDs have the ability to speed up plant growth and improve the taste of fruit and vegetables. A recent study by researchers in the United States are also proves that LED light is able to reduce disease in plants, a discovery that could, eliminate the use of pesticides.

 The lumos light box will provide 24 hrs light to power your farm at reduced cost. The advent of vertical farms,sun farms has pushed up the need to have light available for plants and animals to boost production.


The use of solar to power your bulbs can be a new way to increase productivity and yield. The use of the lumos box has the added advantage that you can actually determine your cost /time of project and also its cost implication is low as the service is highly discounted. Planting indoors? then the use of the box is to your advantage. Planting in the hydroponic setup with the lumos box takes a lot of stress off the farmer with better profit margin. Led lamps connected to the lumos box can be used in poultry or hydroponic setting.

 The lumos box is an initiative of MTN to provide 24 hrs electricity,but this can also be used on farms to produce cheaper electricity when needed.

The advantages of using the lumos box include 1) cheap and easy to install. 2)There is no noise or pollution. 3) safe and easy to maintain. LUMOS MOBILE ELECTRICITY POWERED BY MTN. 24/7 Electricity .

Rapper Akon lights up two more African nations with solar power.

Rapper Akon lights up two more African nations with solar power.The Senegalese-American artist Akon is looking skywards to splash his cash by investing in solar power projects across Africa. The rapper added The Gambia and Cape Verde to his Akon Lighting Africa initiative this weekend, a fund that already helps populations who struggle to connect to limited or absent national grids in 25 African countries. The Gambian village of Sareh Pateh, population 4,000, turned on solar street lights for the first time on Sunday night, along with power for a mosque and a pharmacy. Akon, real name Aliaume Damala Badara Akon Thiam, spent part of his childhood in a Senegalese village without electricity before settling in the United States. In Cape Verde on Saturday the musician met with Economy Minister Jose Goncalves and said he considered the poor but stable island nation to be his next investment prospect.The African Renewable Energy Initiative, launched at the Paris COP21 summit in 2015, aims to bring large-scale projects to the continent. source

Solar-powered dairy farm.

A farmer in Kenya is reaping massive benefits from solar-enhanced dairy-farming. His venture is an example of how the country is transitioning to the realization of the 7th Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), that credits assurance of access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. In order to boost production, Willy Kirwa, a dairy farmer located in Eldoret (Western region of Kenya in the Rift Valley) invested $40,000 USD in a modern state-of-the art solar power system on his 50-acre farm to help in lighting and processing of milk. He has over time installed 30 solar panels with different capacity outputs (100 watts and 200 watts). Even though the installation cost was expensive, it has been confirmed that the project is lucrative and cheaper in the long-run. It is worth it because of the lack of monthly power overheads encountered using mains-grid electricity. The farm needed a comfortable environment with enough lighting to boost his milk-production which currently stands at 600 liters per day, hence the need for the technology. Large scale milk production also needs processing machinery akin to solar powered milk cooling machine. The dairy farmer has installed a solar power system at his farm most specifically to power the milk cooling machine and light the cattle shed for milking. He has a milk-cooling facility that is directly connected to solar power source by power cables. #solar Inside the cattle pen, some power bulbs are visible which are turned on whenever there is need for more light. He preferred using solar energy to other energy-sources because it is natural and cheaper to manage as compared to grid electricity that needs a lot of money to install in addition to the high monthly bills, given his large-scale milk production. The dairy farmer also opted to employ solar energy because he has many dairy cattle and the milk production is high. He had to acquire milk-processing machinery, which includes a milk cooling machine. He preferred to put up solar-energy to run the machine because it is easy to handle and maintain, which is also cheap. #dairy The photovoltaic solar panels are connected in a way that they are easily hit directly by the sun, converting the sun’s rays into electricity. Solar panels on his roof are directly connected to power storage solar batteries with power inverters that convert the direct current (DC) power generated by solar panels to alternating current (AC) that is used on the grid. The power serves many other auxiliary purposes as it also lights cattle sheds that are turned on during milking very early in the morning and late in the evening after the sun has set. Apart from lighting the cattle shed, the renewable energy is also used in lighting his main house. This is just an example of the ancillary benefits of cheaper and cost-effective renewable-energy. He also prefers lighting during milking in order to boost milk production in the sense that the strong light attracts flies that could suck cows during the milking process, which would make them restless. The light also gives the cattle a warm and friendly environment, making them relaxed. The farmer also plans to expand the solar plant for other domestic use. more

A renewable streetlight that fights mosquitoes.

Researchers in Malaysia have created a light that not only combats climate change; it fights mosquito-borne diseases too. The LED street light is a renewable energy hybrid, incorporating both a solar panel and a wind turbine. Mosquitoes are drawn to the lamp because it emits carbon dioxide, the same gas that humans naturally give off. Lead researcher Dr Chong Wen Tong said the CO2 given off is “relatively low” and outstripped by the benefits of the clean energy it provides. A fan then prevents the mosquitoes from escaping. The researchers hope that the new form of lighting could help to prevent dengue fever, a virus that is widespread in the tropics and for which there is currently no vaccine. Two pilot lamps are currently in use on the campus at the University of Malaya in Kuala Lumpur where the researchers are based and six installed elsewhere in Kuala Lumpur. The product is now set to enter the market. The product has much more longevity than traditional street lighting, but the pilot cost £20,000 to produce and the individual lamps currently cost around £1,700. Solving the power issue and preventing diseases and nuisance of mosquitoes; its a worthy innovation. Story credit;the guardian.