For Milcah Wanjiru, a shopkeeper in Nairobi, a solar-powered grain mill has transformed her business. Her machine runs on either solar or grid electricity, making it cheaper and more profitable than traditional diesel models.

The ever-improving economics of solar technology have made such innovations possible. A couple of years ago, a panel cost about $3 per watt; now it’s down to cents.

AgSol, the company that designed Wanjiru's mill, has seen success with its product in Kenya and beyond. The CEO, Matt Carr, launched the first Agsol product in 2018 and has since raised over $4 million of investment, much of it from a UK government programme supporting clean energy projects.

With 25% of communities lacking centralized electricity, off-grid solar solutions like those offered by AgSol are crucial for achieving Kenya's goal of universal electricity access by 2030. This move not only reduces emissions but also helps small businesses thrive in the face of economic challenges.