A pilot of secondary use of solar irrigation power for clean cooking

A pilot in rural Kenya demonstrated that solar irrigation systems with batteries can power electric pressure cookers (EPCs), leading to promising reductions in traditional fuel use. While EPCs were well-received, particularly by educated households, the impact was limited by battery constraints, competing energy needs, and gendered dynamics regarding energy control. The report suggests that scaling such secondary energy uses requires improved technology design, adequate battery storage, targeted financing, and behavioral support to ensure an equitable transition to clean energy.

• A randomized controlled trial in rural Kenya confirmed that solar irrigation systems equipped with batteries are capable of powering electric pressure cookers (EPCs), which were actively used and enthusiastically accepted when provided for free, especially in educated households.
• The pilot showed tentative reductions in the use of solid fuels and an increase in solar electricity consumption, suggesting positive synergies between solar irrigation and clean cooking.
• The overall impact of the EPCs was constrained by battery capacity, competing energy demands for lighting and television, and a gender divide where men controlled battery use while women made cooking choices.
• To increase the uptake of e-cooking and reduce reliance on other energy sources, the report recommends aligning battery capacities with multi-use demands, scheduling cooking during peak solar generation hours, and providing targeted financing, subsidies, and behavioral training.

APA

Aklin,, S. M. L. K. A. (2026). A pilot of secondary use of solar irrigation power for clean cooking. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/beyond-irrigation-solar-power-kenya

Chicago

Aklin,, Sunil Mani,Tara Laan,Franziska Keller,Cliff Anami,Michaël. A pilot of secondary use of solar irrigation power for clean cooking. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2026. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/beyond-irrigation-solar-power-kenya.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Aklin, |first1=Sunil Mani,Tara Laan,Franziska Keller,Cliff Anami,Michaël |title=A pilot of secondary use of solar irrigation power for clean cooking |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=10 February 2026 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/beyond-irrigation-solar-power-kenya |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{aklin2026pilot, author = {Aklin,, Sunil Mani,Tara Laan,Franziska Keller,Cliff Anami,Michaël}, title = {{A pilot of secondary use of solar irrigation power for clean cooking}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2026}, month = feb, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/beyond-irrigation-solar-power-kenya}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }