How could 1.2 billion people around the world 鈥� be living without access to electricity? After all, the technology exists, and the cost of solar energy and batteries was falling fast.鈥� He deduced it was a matter of accessibility.
A possible solution came to him a decade ago while he was working towards his second degree from Dal, a master鈥檚 in applied sciences with a special focus on energy storage for renewable energy integrations.
Manchester collaborated with his friend and fellow engineer, Jeff Schnurr, who at the time was working on climate change adaptation solutions in Tanzania. There, the majority of people had cell phones but nowhere to charge them, and lit their homes with kerosene. 鈥淲hat if we used solar power to charge small, rechargeable battery packs鈥攚ith just enough energy to power their basic necessities for a few days?鈥�
They didn鈥檛 know if the idea would work but were willing to try.
Fast forward to today, and Manchester is the co- founder and CTO of Jaza Energy, a company powering homes in over 100 rural communities in Tanzania and Nigeria through a network of solar-powered recharging stations, or 鈥淛aza Hubs.鈥�
鈥淭he Hubs are one-stop energy shops,鈥� says Manchester. 鈥淭he solar panels on the roofs generate enough energy to charge battery packs for hundreds of homes, powering things like lights, TVs, and boomboxes for up to three days.鈥�
Jaza鈥攁 name of Swahili origin signifying 鈥渃harge鈥濃�� employs people from all over the world to see its mission through. 鈥淥ur team spans from Halifax to Nigeria, Tanzania, and China.鈥� says Manchester. 鈥淲e also employ over 100 鈥楯azaStars,鈥� who are women from the communities we serve that manage the Hubs. It鈥檚 been incredible to see them all become real technology and business leaders in their communities.鈥�
Manchester says he鈥檚 inspired by a combination of being able to build products that make a difference for people, while working alongside a team of smart and passionate people from around the world.
鈥淚鈥檝e been so lucky to have this experience,鈥� he says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e building a solution that will help light up the whole continent and make a dent in the 1.2 billion people without electricity. And to think, we鈥檙e only just getting started.鈥�
This story appeared in the DAL Magazine Spring/Summer 2023 issue. Flip through the rest of the issue using the links below.