Rwanda Solar Installation Increases Electricity and Jobs

June 15, 2016 by Stephanie McCauley

solar panelHelping Rwanda move toward its goal of delivering electricity to half the population by 2017, a new 8.5MW solar farm has increased power generation by 6% and added 350 local jobs. The project had an impressively fast turnaround, going from contract to connection in one year, providing an example for other countries eager to increase their electrity distribution. Leased land for the installation provides money for the Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, which cares for orphaned children.

Climate Protection: Reduces emissions from energy sources Energy & Mobility: Increases power generation from renewable energy sources Jobs & Assets: Brings more job opportunities; Allows for youth to learn employment skills

This post is part of a series on examples of multisolving, or climate-smart policies that simultaneously work to mitigate climate change while providing co-benefits such as the ones described above. The multiple benefits analysis was done using the FLOWER framework.