In southern Senegal, near the border with The Gambia, lies the remote village of Keur Niangane. Home to about 1,200 residents, this desert village sits hours away from the capital city, Dakar. For years, the people here lived without reliable electricity.
That changed recently thanks to a partnership between the electric vehicle charging company ChargePoint and the renewable energy developer Africa GreenTec. Together, they brought a solar-powered microgrid called a “Solartainer” to Keur Niangane. The system, housed in a shipping container, is equipped with 144 solar panels and battery storage. It now provides a steady and clean supply of electricity to the community.
From Diesel Generators to Reliable Solar Power
Before the project, Keur Niangane had no access to the national power grid or public lighting. Residents used candles, kerosene lamps, and basic solar devices that were too weak for any productive use. Small businesses depended on diesel generators, which were expensive, noisy, polluting, and often broke down or ran out of fuel.
Dr. Wolfgang Rams, CEO of Africa GreenTec, said the community welcomed the change. Although some villagers hoped to connect to Senegal’s national grid, that option was too costly. Extending power lines to such remote areas requires expensive, long-distance infrastructure.
“This decentralized solution is more affordable, scalable, and sustainable,” Rams said in an interview with Popular Science.
Now, with the Solartainer installed, small businesses in Keur Niangane can run machinery, grow their operations, and earn more income. This helps create jobs and boost the local economy. Technicians from the village are trained to manage and maintain the system, which requires little upkeep.
“Productive energy use is at the heart of our mission,” Rams explained. “It supports local business, sparks opportunity, and benefits the whole community.”
A Project Funded by Carbon Credits
Africa GreenTec selects project sites based on several factors, such as how far they are from the national grid, their road access, and population density. Keur Niangane is one of 54 villages chosen for a government-led rural electrification program powered by renewable energy.
Funding for the project came from carbon credits. ChargePoint earned these credits by operating 10,000 electric vehicle charging stations in Germany. Under the European Union Emissions Trading System, companies that reduce carbon emissions can sell credits to polluters. This allows clean energy projects to raise money while supporting climate goals.
“If a company proves it’s cutting emissions, it can trade certificates,” explained Andreas Blin, Senior Manager at ChargePoint. “It’s exciting to think that we’re replacing diesel generators in Africa using money earned from electric vehicles in Europe.”
ChargePoint hopes to continue funding the village’s solar project through future credit sales.
Clean Energy Brings Lasting Benefits
Today, Keur Niangane has a solar capacity of 56 kilowatt-peak (kWp), the maximum output under ideal sunlight. The village is connected to a five-kilometer mini-grid that delivers electricity to 149 households—serving 1,207 people. The project also installed 55 solar-powered streetlights, which have improved safety, extended evening activities, and enhanced daily life.
For Keur Niangane, the sun now powers a brighter, more sustainable future.
