paved the way for families to
achieve financial stability from
selling our solar lanterns. So far, we
have been able to provide services
to over 15 commercial farmers and
10 rural dwellers. Our projected
future impact on the other hand
is to cover and reach out to more
areas all over the country.
DIINSIDER INTERVIEW
Living Solar:
A One Stop Service for
Renewable Energy Solutions
in Zambia
Living Solar is a
renewable energy
solution provider
dedicated to deliver cost
effective, efficient, and
sustainable renewable
energy solutions to
the Zambian market.
Diinsider interviewed Mr.
Christopher Mapulanga,
the chief operating officer
of Living Solar Solutions
to discuss how it has
accelerated renewable
energy development in
Zambia.
24 Change Magazine
Diinsider: Could you tell us how
Living Solar Solutions came to be?
Christopher: The organization
was founded due to the immense
energy and water problems in
our country. Most rural areas
have inadequate access to clean
water and energy, which often
leads to many health hazards. We
wanted to provide an alternative,
renewable, affordable, and
sustainable energy for urban, semi-
urban and rural communities. This
dream is all the more strengthened
by our strong desire to eradicate
poverty and to create a positive
impact in society. D: Who comprises your team?
C: Our team is comprised of
our CEO, Munjunzi Nyirenda.
He has a vast experience in
telecommunications and has
worked in Australia. We also
have Tawanda Tawengwa who
is based in Zimbabwe and the
head of Solar Shack. He has
over five years of experience in
renewable energy in Zimbabwe.
I, Christopher Mapulanga, am the
COO and I have over eight years of
experience in sales and marketing.
I am also involved in project
management as I have worked
for renewable energy companies,
logistics, and payment solutions.
D: What problem is Living Solar
Solutions trying to address? D: What is your proposed solution
to the problem?
C: We aim to answer the need for
access to clean renewable energy
and water for rural and urban areas
in Zambia and Malawi. We also
aim to address the ever growing
changes in our agricultural industry
by providing renewable solutions
for farmers in the country. C: Our solution is to provide a
one stop service which includes
supplying, consultancy, sizing,
and maintenance of renewable
energy equipment and services.
We want to work with a range
of stakeholders, suppliers and
manufacturers so we can provide
equipment and up-to-date
D: How does your project differ
from similar initiatives that aim
to address the same problems in
your country?
Christopher with chicken shelter
powered by solar panels
technological advancements in
the industry at an affordable price.
With a constantly evolving industry,
we are also continuously educating
our staff to ensure that we provide
adequate expertise.
D: Could you walk us through
a specific example of how your
solution made a difference?
C: Our solar water pump solution
was able to reach far flung rural
and off-grid areas. Our system
is designed to work in both rural
and urban African terrains. It
allows potable water for families,
and thus, has been preventing
illnesses. It is also able to provide
clean water for agriculture and
subsistence farming. Through
farming, families are able to earn
income through the sales of their
produce.
C: There are a couple of solar
companies in Zambia. I believe
what sets us apart is that we
aim for affordability and quality.
Our plan is source high quality
products but at a low cost.
focus on training women and
deliberately establishing women-
driven direct sales networks to
bring safe, affordable and clean
energy technology to communities
in Zambia. WISE endeavors to
advocate for a world where women
of all ages, their families, and
communities have access to the
renewable energy that they need
to create a sustainable life.
We are also getting involved
with a partner called MiPower to
provide affordable water solutions
to the Zambia market. MiPower
supplies a wide range of pumps
in the South African market. This
collaboration will eventually bring
positive change to the water
supply in Zambia and neighboring
countries.
D: Are there any other projects
you are running?
C: We have a project called
Women in Solar Entrepreneurship
(WISE). WISE aims to reduce
energy inadequacies by
empowering women with
economic opportunities. We
D: What has been the impact
of your work so far? Can you
describe your projected future
impact in the coming years?
C: The agriculture sector is one
of the largest industries in our
country next to mining. Living Solar
Solutions has provided this sector
with its much needed alternative
energy resources. Our work has
Change Magazine 25