About solariskit
developers of the world’s first flat-packed solar collector
half the world’s energy is used for heating
It often comes as a surprise to people when they learn that heating is the single largest source of energy related greenhouse gas emissions. Its responsible for producing more carbon than electricity generation.
In the global south, regions like sub-Sahara Africa remain heavily dependent on wood and charcoal for heating. This has led to devastating levels of deforestation, and the cause of respiratory health problems from smoke inhalation
Most of which is still being met using fossil fuels.
while less than 2% of global heating demand is met using solar energy
Despite almost 70% of Earth’s population living in the sunny and warm equatorial regions where sunlight could lower energy costs and carbon emissions for billions of people
the solariskit story
In 2019 while working as a lecturer at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh Scotland, SolarisKit founder Dr Faisal Ghani came across a journal paper stating that households in Kigali Rwanda were spending up to 40% of their total income paying their energy bill, most of which was used for heating water.
As a mechanical engineer working in solar heating for over 15 years this struck a chord with Faisal. Imagining a world where the potential of solar energy could be unlocked, Faisal decided to develop a solution which democratised global access to solar heat. Inspired by IKEA’s flat-packed furniture solution, Faisal went on to develop the world’s first flat-packed, self-assembled solar collector.
Faisal left Heriot-Watt University in 2020 to focus on building SolarisKit and realising its vision for a better world.
our vision is a world where the potential of solar energy is finally realised, benefiting people and the planet
making progress towards our vision
TESTED TO EU STANDARDS
The SolarisKit S400 solar collector was tested and certified to stringent European standards in 2021 by accredited solar test lab SPF (Switzerland)
Trials completed IN RWANDA
After successfully winning an Innovate UK Energy Catalyst grant, SolarisKit was able to further develop and carry out pilot trials in Rwanda. This was highly successful.
PRODUCTION LINE ESTABLISHED
SolarisKit established its first production at the Michelin Scotland innovation Parc (Dundee Scotland) in 2021. It moved to a new premise on the same site in 2022.
CAPACITY BUILDING ACTIVITIES
SolarisKit is currently establishing East Africa’s first solar thermal center of excellence in partnership with Strathmore University in Nairobi Kenya
Meet the SolarisKit Team
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Dr faisal ghani
FOUNDER & CEO
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mark durrant
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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DAVID WESTWOOD
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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KRIS AITCHISON
CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER
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HAMISH MADGWICK
R&D ENGINEER
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DARREN DAWSON
PRODUCTION & QUALITY
where it all happens
Located at the Michelin Scotland Innovation Parc, SolarisKit solar collectors and other products are proudly designed, tested, and manufactured in Scotland. Our team is made up of engineers and plumbers who love coming up with new ideas to make solar heating systems better performing, more affordable, and easier to install.
rapid prototyping
Our large format 3D printer is always printing away at a new idea. We love coming up with new designs and seeing them come to life
build & testing
Our R&D area is fully equipped so we can build and test out our ideas. Designing on a computer is great but nothing beats making the real thing
data measurement
Our solar collectors and systems are first tested in Scotland. To measure their performance we have a data acquisition system for taking sensor readings
How it all unfolded
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THE IDEA
The idea of a flat-packable solar thermal collector quickly became scribble in Faisal Ghani’s notebook.
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WE BUILT AND TESTED IT
A basic prototype was built and used to test the idea. Indoor testing carried out initially to accelerate product testing.
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WE MADE IT BETTER
Numerous changes to the basic idea to improve performance and functionailty of the collector have been carried out.
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MANUFACTURING
SolarisKit has moved from just the designer, to the manufacturer with production capacity developed in Dundee.
