Akon Invests to Build Africa’s First Solar Powered Football Pitch

Solar energy provides incredible opportunities for families, businesses and organizations across the globe. Not only are monthly payments knocked down, but living with clean energy can shrink one’s carbon footprint to a near-invisible speck. 

Acquired through simple and affordable financing, solar energy can help provide better lives. This message is now being supported by the famous rapper Akon. The 42-year-old is teaming up with Shell—a global group of energy and petrochemicals companies dedicated to creating a sustainable energy future—to provide Africa’s first football pitch powered by human and solar power.

The new football pitch was refurbished with more than 90 tiles placed underground to capture kinetic energy generated from the movement of players on the pitch. However, this is not the only source of clean energy for the pitch. Solar panels will also be used to power new floodlights.

Though many don’t need to power an entire football pitch, families can install solar panels on their homes with the aid of financing to help capture energy from the sun. This energy will in turn allow one’s house to run more efficiently and cleanly.

Akon has partnered with Shell to further his commitment to educate Africans about the importance of embracing the impact renewable energy has. In fact, Akon is using his platform Akon Lighting Africa to ensure his mission is carried out. Akon Lighting Africa is “a large scale effort to develop solar-powered solutions that will provide African communities with access to clean and affordable sources of electricity,” reports PV Magazine.

To shed even more light on the benefits of clean energy, Akon has recorded a song named “Tell Me We’re OK.” Akon’s new single will be featured in an exclusive performance on the pitch before its release in 2016. The pitch will also be seen in the song’s music video.

Whether living in the United States, Europe or Africa, people can still make a conscious effort to go green with clean energy. By installing solar panels with the aid of simple financing, any family can make the switch to benefit the environment.

Akon also believes making the switch to live with clean energy will drive human progression. “Projects like this innovative football pitch draw attention to the major opportunity…Africa [has] if we look to better harness new technologies and the continent’s abundant renewable energy resources,” stated Akon.

Consider helping the earth continue to be a safe place for everyone by living with clean energy. The solar life is for everyone and can be easily obtained with simple financing.

Jeffrey Herbert is a renewable energy writer for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. Information provided by Elements Capital Group. Follow on Twitter.