Case Study The founders of ToughStuff realised that even a one-watt solar PV module could provide
sufficient electricity for off grid basic services such as light, mobile phones and radio. In a
country like Kenya, the cities are lively and bright but in rural areas nearly everyone depends
on kerosene lamps and candles for light. These are costly, polluting and a fire hazard. While
millions of rural Africans use mobile phones, most have to walk miles to get them charged at
a phone shop
ToughStuff's core product is a durable, flexible 1 Wp PV module which generates electricity
from sunlight. It can be fixed on a roof or moved around. It retails for US$9 in Kenya. Other
solar powered products include a US$8 LED lamp, mobile phone connectors and a radio
connector. As of February 2011, 140,000 PV modules had been sold with an estimated
740,000 people enjoying the advantages.
Answer the following questions:
Q1. Business models like that of ToughStuff fulfils the basic needs of electricity deprived
Kenyan population by utilising Solar energy. Do you think this business will succeed without
the participation of various stakeholders?
Devise a plan as to how ToughStuff can utilise the local resources/stakeholders to take this
technology to more people.
Describe how this plan will affect the people and natural environment of Kenya.
Q2. Detail the ways in which Kenya can fulfil the UN SDG of providing affordable and clean
energy to the citizens giving examples. Use the geographical features and natural resources
of the country to build your answer.