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Big switch on for solar powered TVs

Solar TV
Solar TV

Violet Mwikali's new television has not just brought entertainment to her home but peace, too.

"The whining has stopped now. I was put on the spot for a while as my two children went to the neighbours to watch television," Mwikali said as she adjusted her new 16-inch solar-powered television.

Mwikali is one of many residents of Lukenya in Machakos County, east of Nairobi, who have bought televisions from M-Kopa Solar, a Nairobi-based company that sells solar-powered products in places not connected to the national energy grid.

The digital flat-screen television comes with a solar panel and a portable battery that also controls a lighting unit and has a socket for charging cellphones.

Margaret Nduge said she had long resigned herself to never being hooked up to the national electricity grid. Before buying the solar kit, Nduge used a generator for power, but it was smoky and noisy, and the cost of fuel was a drain on her finances.

The solar television works even when there is little or no sun, she said. The battery lasts for four hours when used for lighting and TV simultaneously.

The whole kit costs about $530 (R7344) , and customers make an initial payment of up to R1100 .

Jesse Moore, M-Kopa's chief executive, believes poorer nations will lead the way in switching to green energy use.

"In Africa, [we are going] directly from limited energy connections straight to renewable."

Moore said the company has sold over 6 000 television sets, and hopes to reach 3million in mainly rural areas.

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