Deep Insight into the latest solar cooling innovations
Solar Cooling Conference and Tour
Kisumu and Homabay, Kenya
April 14th/15th 2025
The SelfChill team, together with WeHub Victoria Limited and supported by dena (German Energy Agency), invites you to the “Solar Cooling Conference and Tour” on April 14th/15th 2025.
Solar cooling solutions play a significant role in rural development by reducing post-harvest losses, creating jobs and fostering new business opportunities.
In 2024, two innovative solar-powered cold rooms were installed at public marketplaces around Lake Victoria, providing essential cooling services to market traders and farmers. Constructed locally and based on SelfChill technology, the systems utilized locally available materials for insulation and walls.
Join us for this two-day event featuring conference and workshop sessions, along with guided excursions to the two cold room sites. It provides a unique opportunity to connect with local and international experts while gaining valuable insights into:
- Technological advancements;
- Agricultural value chains;
- Innovative business models based on cooling.
Conference topics and program highlights:
- Agricultural value chains and cooling;
- Introduction to photovoltaic systems and cooling technologies;
- Walk-in cold storage rooms powered by solar: the SelfChill concept;
- Business models: ‘Productive Use of Energy’;
- Group visit to the ‘Cooling-as-a-Service’ project in Mbita;
- Group visit to the low-carbon cold room with minimal embedded greenhouse gas emissions in Homabay.
Please find the detailed programme here: Solar Cooling and Conference Tour 2025- Programme.
Target groups:
- NGO and GO representatives working on rural development and sustainable agriculture;
- Politicians and policymakers shaping energy and food security strategies;
- Entrepreneurs and business leaders exploring opportunities in solar cooling;
- Farmers and agricultural cooperatives looking to reduce post-harvest losses;
- Industry stakeholders interested in innovative cooling solutions.
Location and time table:
- April 14th, 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM: Conference Sessions at Acacia Premier Hotel, Achieng’ Oneko Road, Kisumu
- April 15th, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM: Solar Cooling Tour (Bus excursion to Homabay and Mbita)
- The program begins and concludes in Kisumu, Kenya. Bus transport is organized. Please see the detailed programme and info for further details on fees and accommodation: Solar Cooling and Conference Tour 2025- Programme
Registration Form
Conditions:
The Solar Cooling Conference and Tour is offered free of charge, including snacks, drinks and lunch. The maximum number of participants is limited to 25.
Registration for the event is only possible via this online registration form. Registration is open until 04.04.2025. A confirmation will be sent.
The programme starts in Kisumu at Acacia Premier Hotel on 14th April, 8:30 am. Transport from Kisumu to Homabay, to the project locations and back to Kisumu airport will be organized. The programme ends at Kisumu Airport on 15th April, 5:00 pm.
Further travel costs and accommodation are not covered. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travels at their own cost. Please find further info in the Solar Cooling and Conference Tour 2025- Programme or contact info@selfchill.org.
About the Low-Carbon Cold Room in Homabay:
The Low-Carbon Cold Room in Homabay was a joint development of different institutions. From the private sector WeHub Victoria Limited, Solar Cooling Engineering GmbH and Phaesun GmbH were involved. Through its flagship initiative, the Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) programme, Efficiency for Access actively supported the development and co-funded the development activities. LEIA is an innovative research, development and demonstration (RD&D) programme. Funded with UK aid, from the UK Government via the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) platform, and the IKEA Foundation, and co-managed by CLASP and Energy Saving Trust.
About SelfChill and the RES Project Kenya:
SelfChill is a brand that offers innovative solar cooling solutions powered by solar and using thermal ice storage. The SelfChill technology had been developed and introduced to the market by the German solar company Phaesun GmbH together with international partners.
This event is organized by Phaesun in cooperation with WeHub! Victoria Limited and is part of the RES project Kenya. The RES project Kenya aims to implement solar cooling technologies in Kenya, transferring knowledge on solar cooling technologies.
The RES Project Kenya is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of the Renewable Energy Solutions Programme of the German Energy Solutions Initiative.
German Energy Agency (dena)
The German Energy Agency (dena) is a centre of excellence for the applied energy transition and climate protection. dena studies the challenges of building a climate-neutral society and supports the German government in achieving its energy and climate policy objectives. Since its founding in 2000, dena has worked to develop and implement solutions and bring together national and international partners from politics, industry, the scientific community and all parts of society. dena is a project enterprise and a public company owned by the German federal government. dena’s shareholders are the Federal Republic of Germany. www.dena.de/en
German Energy Solutions Initiative
With the aim of positioning German technologies and know-how worldwide, the German Energy Solutions Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) supports suppliers of climate-friendly energy solutions in opening up foreign markets. The focus lies on renewable energies, energy efficiency, smart grids and storage, as well as technologies such as power-to-gas and fuel cells. Aimed in particular at small and medium-sized enterprises, the German Energy Solutions Initiative supports participants through measures to prepare market entry as well as to prospect, develop and secure new markets. www.german-energy-solutions.de/en
Renewable Energy Solutions Programme (RES Programme)
With the RES programme, the Energy Export Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Action (BMWK) helps German companies in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors enter new markets. Within the framework of the programme, reference plants are installed and marketed with the support of the German Energy Agency (dena). Information and training activities help ensure a sustainable market entry and demonstrate the quality of climate-friendly technologies made in Germany. www.german-energy-solutions.de/res-programm.html