Three Ghanaian companies have emerged winners in the Power Africa Off-Grid Energy Challenge sponsored by General Electric (GE), the United States (US) Africa Development Foundation (USADF) and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Each of the companies received a grant of $100,000.

The companies, Solar Light Company Limited, Kumasi Institute of Tropical Agriculture (KITA) and New Energy, all submitted entries for innovative energy solutions that can be deployed to power socio-economic activities within communities in Ghana that are not connected to the country's national grid.

The companies joined 19 other grant winners from Liberia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya.

Over 300 entries were received from across Africa.

A press release from the US Embassy in Ghana stated that, the Off-Grid Energy Challenge is part of Power Africa, President Barack Obama's initiative to increase access to reliable, affordable, clean and sustainable electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Power Africa is also helping ensure responsible, transparent and effective management of energy resources in SSA.

The three-year initiative was launched in 2013 with six winners drawn from Kenya and Nigeria receiving $100,000 each toward their renewable energy projects.

The final round of the Power Africa Off-Grid Energy Challenge will take place in 2015.

Solar Light Company Limited plans to improve the livelihoods of Ghana's informal street vendors who often work for less than $3 a day for long hours in the sun.

The company will be prototyping and locally manufacturing the “Sunana” system, a portable solar unit that street vendors can use to charge phones and provide lighting.

KITA is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which serves as a leading centre for research, technology transfer and education in farming, agriculture, agribusiness and environmental resources management.

KITA is installing a 20-kilowatt biomass gasifier unit to use discarded biomass to power processing equipment that turns palm seeds into palm oil in an off-grid community in Ohwimase, Ashanti Region.

New Energy is installing a solar-powered water pumping, filtration and purification system, as well as a drip irrigation system, to be managed sustainably by local water co-operative in the off-grid town of Nabogo in northern Ghana.

Speaking at the event, the US Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Gene Cretz, applauded GE and its partners, USADF and USAID for taking on an active role in lighting Africa in general, and Ghana in particular, through the Power Africa initiative.

Ambassador Cretz was pleased with the quality of the winning projects, calling the projects “innovative home-grown solutions for the local environment.”

He noted that “The Off-Grid challenge, like Power Africa, represents the best of what partnerships can accomplish, when we set our focus on a common goal.”

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of GE Ghana, Mr Leslie Nelson, expressed pleasure at the outcome of the event, saying that GE was very proud of the calibre of talent that emerged from Ghana in the competition. “This further validates our belief at GE that the indigenous people on the ground have valuable insights on what works best for Africa and innovative solutions to meet the power needs of the continent.”

Mr Robert Buzzard, Manager of USAID/Ghana's Energy programme, noted that USAID contributed $700,000 in support of the Off-Grid Challenge partnership.

“Much of USAID's technical and financial support to the energy and power sectors in Ghana works on big-picture, upstream links in the chain of energy to power,” Mr Buzzard said.

He added “For example, we're helping the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum to remove roadblocks to the flow of natural gas flow from Ghana's Jubilee field to power generation plants. The three projects we're celebrating tonight add to that work and provide immediate impact on the lives of those not living on the grid.”

The President/CEO of the USADF, Shari Berenbach said, “USADF is pleased to be supporting economic growth at the grassroots level, by addressing the energy poverty that many communities face. These grants represent the innovation and 'can do' attitude of Ghanaian renewable energy ventures that is spurring on growth across the country.”

USADF, a public corporation in the US Federal Government, funds African enterprises, co-operatives and community-based organisations to build capacity and expand economic activities.

In 18 countries with over 350 project grants, USADF is benefiting more than a million and a half Africans.

USADF operates as the only US agency exclusively centred on an African-led, grassroots development model to encourage shared prosperity

The winners from the maiden edition of the Off-Grid Challenge in Nigeria and Kenya have started impacting their respective communities with energy solutions.

Green Village Electricity is providing solar-powered energy to over 70 homes and hundreds of inhabitants of Egbeke community in Rivers State in southern Nigeria.

Mibawa, the Kenya winner, is also using the “Indigo” solar energy system to provide charging capability for two lights and cell phones for rural households in eastern Kenya.

The “Indigo” lighting system has now replaced the use of kerosene lamps in the communities.