Single modular solar technology for producing both electricity and drinking water for micro-industries and villages of up to 1,000 people is to be trialled in Kenya in 2014 ahead of a 2015 commercial launch.

A consortium led by global energy management firm Schneider Electric has chosen the East African nation to test the technology dubbed ‘Microsol’.

Schneider Electric says a single Microsol installation, which has an expected lifespan of 20 years, produces 50 MWh of electricity, 1,000 m3 of drinking water, and around 800 MWh of thermal energy per year.

Micro-producers in the food, textile and paper industries are planned to be targeted with the offering. But Microsol could even help the tourist industry and up to 1,000 residents in remote rural villages, says Schneider Electric.

"That technology can help Africa's poorest countries", said Pradeep Monga, director of the energy and climate change branch of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), while attending the inauguration of Microsol in France.

Gilles Vermot Desroches, senior vice-president, sustainability, Schneider Electric, said: “All countries with high levels of sunshine are potential targets for marketing Microsol. However, because of its infrastructure needs, geographical location and economic models, Schneider Electric and its partners decided to focus their efforts on Africa".