SustainSolar: Switch On for the First EASE Mini-grid (Malawi)

The project deployed a containerised 12kW solar generation unit in Mthembanji, Dedza District, Malawi, providing 220 V power to 60 domestic and commercial customers. Developed through a collaboration involving the University of Strathclyde, United Purpose, and SustainSolar, the system uses lithium-ion batteries and smart meters to offer a more sustainable and higher-impact alternative to solar home systems. The project has received approval from the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) for electricity sales and serves as a pilot to inform the national scaling of mini-grid operations.

• The mini-grid in Mthembanji consists of a 12kW solar generation unit that provides 220 V power to 60 customers for domestic and commercial purposes, including lighting, refrigeration, and phone charging.
• The system is designed as a containerised, pre-installed unit housed in an insulated 20 ft shipping container, utilizing lithium-ion batteries and inverters from German manufacturers Tesvolt and SMA.
• Compared to other rural electrification options in Malawi, this mini-grid model is described as being quicker to implement, cheaper, and potentially more financially sustainable than larger capacity mini-grids, while providing more electricity than solar home systems.
• The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has granted approval for the sale of electricity from the mini-grid, although a full technical assessment is still pending for the issuance of a registration certificate.
• The project aims to foster economic growth through 'Productive Uses of Energy' training for small businesses and will use data from this and subsequent EASE-funded pilots to inform a national scaling strategy.

APA

Alliance for Renewable Electrification (2020). SustainSolar: Switch On for the First EASE Mini-grid (Malawi). https://renewelec.org/case-study/sustainsolar-switch-first-ease-mini-grid-malawi/

Chicago

Alliance for Renewable Electrification. SustainSolar: Switch On for the First EASE Mini-grid (Malawi). 2020. https://renewelec.org/case-study/sustainsolar-switch-first-ease-mini-grid-malawi/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Alliance for Renewable Electrification |title=SustainSolar: Switch On for the First EASE Mini-grid (Malawi) |date=28 August 2020 |url=https://renewelec.org/case-study/sustainsolar-switch-first-ease-mini-grid-malawi/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{allianceforrenewableelectrification2020sustainsolar, author = {{Alliance for Renewable Electrification}}, title = {{SustainSolar: Switch On for the First EASE Mini-grid (Malawi)}}, institution = {Alliance for Renewable Electrification}, year = {2020}, month = aug, url = {https://renewelec.org/case-study/sustainsolar-switch-first-ease-mini-grid-malawi/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }