marvv June 19, 2016

Uganda unveils Africa's first solar-powered bus


The bus features two battery bulbs, with one connected to solar panels on the roof to provide firepower for the electric motor. The second bulb is available for charging.
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
The bus features two battery bulbs, with one connected to solar panels on the roof to provide firepower for the electric motor. The second bulb is available for charging.
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"In Europe and the U.S., there are a lot of places with solar farms, yet they don't even have the sunlight we do," said Musasizi. "I would be very excited to see solar pumps all over the place providing power to buses and other types of applications for people here."
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
"In Europe and the U.S., there are a lot of places with solar farms, yet they don't even have the sunlight we do," said Musasizi. "I would be very excited to see solar pumps all over the place providing power to buses and other types of applications for people here."
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Kiira Motors Corporation currently employs 32 people.
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
Kiira Motors Corporation currently employs 32 people.
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Ugandan company Kiira Motors Corporation is launching Africa's first solar-powered bus. CEO Paul Isaac Musasizi hopes to greatly expand the country's solar vehicle industry.
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
Ugandan company Kiira Motors Corporation is launching Africa's first solar-powered bus. CEO Paul Isaac Musasizi hopes to greatly expand the country's solar vehicle industry.
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Musasizi says he has always had a passion for engineering. "I would open up the radio, the refrigerator -- every device," he said. "I wanted to build cars and small houses."
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
Musasizi says he has always had a passion for engineering. "I would open up the radio, the refrigerator -- every device," he said. "I wanted to build cars and small houses."
Hide Caption
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"Uganda is one of only 13 countries in the world on the Equator," says Musasizi. "In 2011, I said to my team, let's do an electric bus and let's make sure that the solar system is integrated into it to provide charging infrastructure for the bus."
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
"Uganda is one of only 13 countries in the world on the Equator," says Musasizi. "In 2011, I said to my team, let's do an electric bus and let's make sure that the solar system is integrated into it to provide charging infrastructure for the bus."
Hide Caption
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The bus features two battery bulbs, with one connected to solar panels on the roof to provide firepower for the electric motor. The second bulb is available for charging.
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
The bus features two battery bulbs, with one connected to solar panels on the roof to provide firepower for the electric motor. The second bulb is available for charging.
Hide Caption
4 of 6
"In Europe and the U.S., there are a lot of places with solar farms, yet they don't even have the sunlight we do," said Musasizi. "I would be very excited to see solar pumps all over the place providing power to buses and other types of applications for people here."
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
"In Europe and the U.S., there are a lot of places with solar farms, yet they don't even have the sunlight we do," said Musasizi. "I would be very excited to see solar pumps all over the place providing power to buses and other types of applications for people here."
Hide Caption
5 of 6
Kiira Motors Corporation currently employs 32 people.
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
Kiira Motors Corporation currently employs 32 people.
Hide Caption
6 of 6
Ugandan company Kiira Motors Corporation is launching Africa's first solar-powered bus. CEO Paul Isaac Musasizi hopes to greatly expand the country's solar vehicle industry.
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
Ugandan company Kiira Motors Corporation is launching Africa's first solar-powered bus. CEO Paul Isaac Musasizi hopes to greatly expand the country's solar vehicle industry.
Hide Caption
1 of 6
Musasizi says he has always had a passion for engineering. "I would open up the radio, the refrigerator -- every device," he said. "I wanted to build cars and small houses."
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
Musasizi says he has always had a passion for engineering. "I would open up the radio, the refrigerator -- every device," he said. "I wanted to build cars and small houses."
Hide Caption
2 of 6
"Uganda is one of only 13 countries in the world on the Equator," says Musasizi. "In 2011, I said to my team, let's do an electric bus and let's make sure that the solar system is integrated into it to provide charging infrastructure for the bus."
Photos: This bus is powered by Africa's sun
"Uganda is one of only 13 countries in the world on the Equator," says Musasizi. "In 2011, I said to my team, let's do an electric bus and let's make sure that the solar system is integrated into it to provide charging infrastructure for the bus."
Hide Caption
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Africa solar bus Uganda bus Paul
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Africa solar bus Uganda bus
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Africa solar bus Uganda bus staff


(CNN)As a child, Ugandan Paul Isaac Musasizi always had busy hands. He regularly pulled apart the family television, and used motors from old cassette players to make toy cars.
Now, in his mid-thirties, he's the CEO of technology company Kiira Motors Corporation and the brains behind Africa's first solar-powered electric bus which makes its debut on February 16.
"In Uganda, we have non-stop sun," he says. "No other countries manufacturing vehicles are on the equator like Uganda. We should celebrate that, and make a business out of it."
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