Case Study

This case study by GreenCape describes a solar energy initiative in the Malawi Camp and Freedom Farm informal settlements in Cape Town, South Africa. The project, led by GreenCape with support from iSolar Ngoku and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, provides solar home systems to communities that have lacked formal electricity for approximately 30 years. The initiative aims to support post-COVID-19 economic recovery through community-led development, job creation for local installers, and the provision of sustainable energy services.

• The project targets two informal settlements in Cape Town: Freedom Farm, with nearly 2,000 residents and a 65% unemployment rate, and Malawi Camp, with over 1,000 residents and a 55% unemployment rate. Both communities have existed for nearly 30 years without formal electricity and have limited sanitation and water points.
• The implemented solution consists of solar home systems comprising a solar PV panel and battery, with two service levels: a basic offering for three lights and small devices, and an upgraded offering that includes a 24-inch flat-screen LED television. The basic system provides power for 8-10 hours per day, and the battery has a minimum lifespan of 2-3 years.
• The initiative is structured as a paid service rather than a handout to encourage community ownership; systems are fully paid for after 24 months, at which point ownership transfers to the client. Additionally, a community fund is established from a portion of the upgraded offering payments to support shared resources such as food gardens, bursary schemes, and crèche expansion.
• The project creates local employment by training community members as qualified installers, some of whom are employed by the project. The provision of energy also enables the introduction of community-wide Wi-Fi services, which the document states can unlock further education and job creation.
• The case study concludes that community-led development and alternative service delivery are essential for South Africa's post-COVID-19 economic recovery, as engaging communities allows them to design their own solutions and ensures buy-in.

APA

GreenCape (2020). Case Study. https://greencape.co.za/assets/GreenCape_Green-shoots-at-grassroots_case-study.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. Case Study. 2020. https://greencape.co.za/assets/GreenCape_Green-shoots-at-grassroots_case-study.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=Case Study |date=2020 |url=https://greencape.co.za/assets/GreenCape_Green-shoots-at-grassroots_case-study.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencape2020case, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{Case Study}}, institution = {GreenCape}, year = {2020}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/assets/GreenCape_Green-shoots-at-grassroots_case-study.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }