Keeling Curve

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Project Summary / Description:

The initiative focuses on addressing the critical energy access gap in rural households in Zimbabwe. Operated by Pawafan, a pioneering youth-led social enterprise, this initiative leverages a sustainable Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) model to deliver affordable, clean, and reliable solar energy solutions to underserved communities.  

With over 60% of rural households lacking access to reliable electricity in ZImbabwe, this initiative empowers these communities by providing solar home systems (SHS) on a energy as a service basis, ensuring financial accessibility for households earning less than $5 a day. By integrating mobile technology for payments and monitoring, the EaaS model ensures that even the most remote households can benefit from renewable energy without the upfront costs traditionally associated with solar power systems.  

This initiative aims to enhance the socio-economic resilience of vulnerable populations, particularly those disproportionately affected by climate-related challenges, by fostering clean energy adoption, reducing dependence on polluting fuels, and enabling adaptive capacities in response to adverse climatic impacts. Through this transformative approach, the initiative seeks to create long-term, scalable solutions that drive sustainable development and climate adaptation for rural Zimbabwean communities.

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Replaces/avoids GHGs (e.g., projects that replace sources of GHGs, such as the burning of fossil fuels for electricity, heat, transport, or other energy uses)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

Pawafan empowers underrepresented groups, particularly rural communities, women, and youth, by providing them with access to affordable solar energy, improving their health, economic opportunities, and educational access. We prioritize women, who benefit from reduced time spent gathering firewood and increased access to light and mobile services. Additionally, by recruiting and training local youth as sales agents and technicians, we create job opportunities and foster leadership within these communities. Our organization is led by a diverse, youth-driven team committed to inclusivity, with a strong focus on integrating these groups in every aspect of our operations, from implementation to decision-making.

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