GREEN Solar Academy advises Moving Windmills on solar training
We meet the MAN who harnessed the wind
GREEN spent 5 days as a guest of the the Moving Windmills project in Malawi that aims to pair talent with opportunity.
At the beginning of August, GREEN Solar Academy had the privilege of visiting the Moving Windmills project in Malawi. The collaboration was initiated by UNIKIMS (the Management School of the University of Kassel, Germany) as part of its ongoing commitment to social responsibility and global development. UNIKIMS achieves its goals by providing scholarships and various forms of support aimed at enhancing the capacity, especially in the field of renewable energies, in developing and underdeveloped countries.
Following an invitation by Moving Windmills founder William Kamkwamba and his team, we were one of several stakeholders to join the trip to see the work being done there and investigate how we can help benefit the community by way of education, skills development, and sustainable innovation.
We sent GREEN trainer McDonald Sekoa to give advice on how to maximise the efficiency of the solar installations at the various hubs and brainstorm how our professional short courses in solar energy could be incorporated into the list of planned offerings at the project’s Innovation Centre.
Meeting the man who harnessed the wind
William’s inspiring story, famously captured in his memoir The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (now also a film on Netflix), set the stage for what we experienced on the ground—a living testament to the power of resilience, curiosity, and community.
The people we met during our 5-day visit were incredibly engaging and welcoming. Despite the challenges they face, including high poverty levels and limited educational opportunities, there is a palpable sense of potential.
As William often says, “Talent and innovation are there; the only thing needed is the opportunity.” The Moving Windmills project is not just providing opportunities; it is creating a space where innovation can thrive, empowering the community to shape their future.
Talent is universal. Opportunity is not.
William Kamkwamba.
Photo credit: @myles_standish_myles_pettengill
Phase 0: The Hubs
The Moving Windmills project consists of hubs surrounding a piece of land. The development of the hubs is Phase Zero of the community engagement initiative.
Each hub is a hive of activity, and boasts fields planted with all sorts of vegetables. The hub at Mtuthama houses a significant solar array with photovoltaic modules, though we learned that only two of the four arrays were connected due to a lack of technical knowledge. This is where the expertise of GREEN trainer McDonald Sekoa came in handy, who has already been formulating solutions to ensure the full system becomes operational, which will be crucial for powering the hub’s activities.
Turning waste into art … and homes
Adjacent to the fields are several 12-foot containers, ingeniously repurposed for storage and workshops. The space between the containers is envisioned as a workshop area where locals can learn to make benches and crates, fostering both creativity and practical skills.
While at the Mtuthama hub, we visited a room that has been set up as an art gallery, where local Virtual artist Chisomo Lifa creates stunning sculptures from recycled plastic waste. Lifa is also involved in a project that makes bricks from melted plastic and sand, offering a more durable and water-resistant alternative to traditional concrete bricks.
Clean water and EVs
At another hub, we found a well-drilling machine that services the community by providing access to clean water — a precious resource in Malawi. This hub, like Mtuthama, is vital in addressing the needs of the local population, from food production to water access.
In Salima, a small town en route to view more hubs, we witnessed firsthand the modes of transport—bicycles and motorbikes—that are so integral to life here. One of the most impressive aspects of the Moving Windmills project is their drive to use renewable energy. Their fleet of bikes, converted from fuel to electric-charged , is a shining example of moving towards cleaner energy production and consumption.
Phase 1: The Innovation Centre
Central to the Moving Windmills project is the land around which all these hubs are situated. This land is earmarked for Phase 1 of the project: the development of an Innovation Centre. The Innovation Centre will serve as a hub for creativity, learning, and community engagement—a place that provides all the resources William Kamkwamba wished he had access to when he was building his first windmill.
The centre will offer access to information via its library and the internet, as well as support and guidance from mentors who have achieved similar feats. It will include workshops stocked with tools, a research facility for both local and international students, and areas dedicated to solving community challenges such as plastic waste and water quality.
The Innovation Center will also focus on green energy systems, essential in a country where most rural areas lack electrical infrastructure. The goal is to do research and implement alternative energy sources, reducing reliance on wood for cooking and heating.
Input from renewable energy experts
To ensure the success of this ambitious project, several key stakeholders were invited to contribute their expertise on this trip. Alex Goldmaier from Autarcon was instrumental in addressing the challenges related to water treatment. He highlighted that the problem in Malawi isn’t just about water contamination but also about re-contamination during transportation from wells to homes. His insights were crucial in developing strategies to keep water clean and drinkable after it has been pumped, stored, and transported.
Professors from UNIKIMS and experts from the Fraunhofer Institute for Energy Economics and Energy System Technology brought their knowledge of wind energy systems, green hydrogen and waste management to the table. Their involvement is vital, as the project aims to harness renewable energy and tackle the significant issue of waste in the region.
The collaboration with these diverse experts underscores the comprehensive approach Moving Windmills is taking to ensure that the Innovation Centre and its associated hubs can meet the wide-ranging needs of the community.
GREEN is involved in solar skills transfer to both adults and youth all across the African continent. You can read more at the link below about the work we’re doing in South Africa with our 12-month PV skills training programme paired with internships for young technically-inclined people in the Western Cape.