News
A generous company
I think I have never been so proud to lead a company as under-performing as ours. Lytefire is a generous bet and one that is increasingly supported by women. And the more I move forward, the more this bet embodied by our small team strengthens my conviction that generous companies have (…)
What’s in your hands? Low-Tech, Mid-Tech or High-Tech?
We want to mitigate climate change, and transform and rebuild societies based on more social justice. All the tech we use should be adapted to the context of their usage, and people’s tools need to be in people’s hands. What we need is long lasting sustainable technologies supporting human (…)
Debunking Open Source in Impact
It’s time to clarify an important point about Open Source. We believe in all the virtues of open source, but because of its limitations, we decided not to embrace that path. We are explaining here our model. The common understanding is that one can open source anything if the know-how is (…)
Maville par Ouest France
" Elle cuit son pain au soleil dans cette ferme du Loroux-Bottereau ... "
6 solar bakeries in Kenya with Jansen PrimeSteps Foundation
We are happy and honored to start a new project in East Africa with the trust and support of Jansen PrimeSteps Foundation. The foundation is focused on poverty alleviation through entrepreneurship, and with this new project PrimeSteps is going to help us elevate our work and increase our impact (…)
Cooperation with UNDP
The UNDP (or United Nations Development Program) is one of the major stakeholders when it comes to implementing the energy transition and livelihoods improvement for vulnerable populations. “UNDP works in about 170 countries and territories, helping to eradicate poverty, reduce inequalities (…)
Lytefire in Senegal: finally
It’s been a very long time since we wanted to start a project in Senegal with the right partner. We are very happy to see that this is finally happening. It will all happen in the village of Agnam Lidoubé, where four solar ovens are going to be installed thanks to Adscal Association and (…)
3rd cooperation in Kenya with World Vision
Our cooperation with World Vision has been very important to us because it is while working with them that our model could be refined towards African entrepreneurs in 2016 (here) and in 2017 (here). We met Mrs Joan Arwa back then and she has always been a fantastic colleague. Since 3 years now (…)
Right of Reply Regarding Public Accusations by Lytefire
By: Right to reply: Arnaud Crétot and SCOP NeoLoco. I would like to respond here to public accusations made against myself, the SCOP NeoLoco and TELED. These statements were published on March 31, 2025, by Eva Wissenz (Managing Director & Board Director of Lytefire) on Lytefire’s (…)
Sunny Projects
SUNNY PROJECTS Click here if you wish to translate this newsletter. ☀️ We are finally catching up with updates on the different projects we have been working on these last months in Mozambique, Kenya, Madagascar, Guinea Bissau, Angola, Ethiopia and Mexico. The website is updated and you (…)
It is World Social Justice Day every day
Lytefire in Cacheu, Guinea Bissau, for Swissaid (2025) It’s been 13 years since Lytefire was founded in Finland first by two, then six motivated (very motivated) people who wanted to facilitate access to clean energy for the most vulnerable populations, from the Global South. Vulnerable? (…)
Une nouvelle boulangerie mi-bois, mi-solaire
UNE NOUVELLE BOULANGERIE MI-BOIS, MI-SOLAIRE Click here if you wish to translate this newsletter. ☀️ C’est sur la somptueuse île sauvage de Belle-Isle-en-Mer, en Bretagne, que Naig a décidé de se lancer. Elle nous a contactés il y a déjà longtemps, elle a observé les autres artisans (…)
Solar Baking News from Uganda
SOLAR BAKING NEWS FROM UGANDA Click here if you wish to translate this newsletter. ☀️ There are 2 types of journeys that people can take with a Lytefire solar oven. 1. Entrepreneurial 2. Community Based Organization (CBO) After Joan Arwa last time sharing about her Solar Fire Bakery in (…)
!["[LOW-TECH] Projet d’ingénierie UNDERSOLAR : un four solaire, ancrés dans les spécificités du territoire"](local/cache-gd2/2f/877fe8b8e6e3c4b6ff3a155cf9307c.jpg?1747653304)
!["[LOW-TECH] Projet d’ingénierie UNDERSOLAR : un four solaire, ancrés dans les spécificités du territoire"](local/cache-gd2/c3/aca775a2608cfb7df2279b04586c58.jpg?1747653304)
Mines Paris - PSL
"[LOW-TECH] Projet d’ingénierie UNDERSOLAR : un four solaire, ancrés dans les spécificités du territoire"
A solar bakery in Kenya is growing
A solar bakery in Kenya is growing Click here if you wish to translate this newsletter. ☀️ There is great news for solar baking in Africa from Joan Arwa. Today’s post comes directly from her. Spread the word in your African network! How is the Solar Fire Bakery doing today since its (…)
Solar Cooking in Marseille, France, 5-8 May
Solar Cooking in Marseille, France, 5-8 May Click here if you wish to translate this newsletter. ☀️ ☀️ There is a great celebration of solar cooking to come next month in Marseille. We hope that many people will gather and test different models of solar cookers. Spread the word in your (…)
Solar Fire bakery breaks even in Kenya!
The best reward for a company is a happy customer! Joan Ogwang is not one of them. She’s a woman entrepreneur from Kenya. In Kisumu, she created the "Solar Fire Bakery" in 2022. She trained herself and started with a first Lytefire oven. At that time, she was part of our team of trainers (…)
Lytefire is not low tech. It is unique. And it is not for activism: Clarification needed in France
Lytefire is unique. It is for workers, entrepreneurs, and artisans from the South and made possible with the support of the humanitarian sector and industrial sponsors. Lytefire is not open source and it is not low tech. We do not like labels. We simply do our work and our users create the (…)
Lytefire’s new impact calculator
If not now, when? This is a key newsletter for us and for all the Lytefire users. Click here if you wish to translate this newsletter. ☀️ Lytefire’s impact is mind blowing! The last time we had time to analyze the collected data was in 2016-2017, when we started our first big projects (…)
If not now, when? We work with UNDP
If not now, when? Spring is here, even in Finland, and we hope the good energy is giving everyone strength and courage to keep on with the good work! Click here to translate this newsletter. ☀️ New project with UNDP We are very happy to share with you that we are starting a very (…)
Sophia Antipolis
On prend toujours un risque à rêver. Celui de créer un rêve si fou que l’on serait tenté de tout quitter pour le suivre. Celui de ne pas arriver à le partager et de le voir moisir. Celui de le partager trop tôt ou de le voir filer trop vite. Celui de le voir évoluer aussi entre d’autres (…)
If not now, when?
If not now, when? Dear Friends, we hope that everyone is doing as good as possible in these complex times – to say the least. Here are a few solar news to cheer you (and us) up! The newsletter is written only in English now because many mail services integrate translation tools. Click here (…)
STEM Synergy never stops!
About a year ago in 2024, we presented the first solar bakery installed by our partner and licensee Stem Synergy in Ethiopia. Since then our partner and licensee STEM Synergy has done A LOT to empower communities through STEM Education and Sustainable Solutions Ras Mekonnen Elementary School (…)
France Bleu
"Succès story : la seule micro-brasserie solaire du Nord Franche-Comté en passe de tripler sa capacité de production"
Leaving Twitter/X behind and moving on
We just closed down our Twitter/X accounts for Lytefire. Soon we’ll move away from Facebook and Instagram. The best way to follow up is our newsletter: https://lytefire.com/newsletter We also continue to be active on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/38140646/
Prättigau
"A sustainable, powerful and silent wellness experience at 2,000 m above sea level: the Lytefire Sauna heats up with solar energy."
Sciencs and Technologies Université de la Réunion
"Territorial solar baking potential: A socio-technical analysis for planning the sustainable energy transition of the bakery world"
Business Turku - Do Good, Do Business Podcast
Urs Riggenbach, co-founder of Lytefire and Head of Operations shares Lytefire’s experience as an impact company working with NGOs and iNGOs. Especially on how we support vulnerable populations with solar thermal energy access for baking, roasting and cooking, and the importance of our (…)
Low-Tech Lab
"Depuis 2015, le Low-tech Lab s’emploie à documenter les différents visages de la low-tech, offrant au mouvement les outils pour s’approprier cette démarche d’utilité, d’accessibilité et de durabilité."
L’Hebdo de Sèvre & Maine
"Près de Nantes. Cette boulangère cuit son pain grâce aux rayons du soleil "
If not now, when?
If not now, when? Dear Friends, we hope that everyone is doing good! Chers amis et amies, on espère que vous allez tous bien, This newsletter is in Englishet en français all together because we don’t have much time. We hope you’ll navigate! Bonne lecture! Here are a few solar news for (…)
Online Trade Magazine Alternative Energy from Solar, Wind, Biomass, Fuel Cells and more…
"New initiative equips women with entrepreneurial skills in clean cooking and business management"
Ouest France
« Une prise de conscience écologique » : Fourmi, un modèle de micro conserverie plein d’avenir
L’info utile au au business avec Ouest France
"Fourmi expérimente une conserverie végétale low tech dans le pays de Rennes"
Scouts et Guides France
"Il y a quelques semaines, j’ai eu la chance de passer du temps sur un camp point rouge"
Solar Nurturing Artisans
Here we are at last! First feedbacks from African and European entrepreneurs. First case studies. And a second stage of development in sight! Beyond the humanitarian work we’re passionate about, several artisans (craftsmen) have taken up the challenge and set up shop to run their business with (…)
If not now, when?
If not now, when? Dear Friends, chers amis, we hope that everyone is doing good! Here are a few solar news for you! This newsletter is in English et en français all together because we don’t have much time. We hope you’ll navigate! Bonne lecture! → The 30% discount on the DIY construction (…)
Les Artisans Solaires Nourriciers
Nous y sommes enfin. Premiers retours d’expériences des entrepreneurs africains et européens. Premières études de cas. Et par conséquent, deuxième stade d’évolution en perspective !! Au-delà de l’aide humanitaire qui nous passionne, plusieurs artisans ont relevé le défi et se sont installés (…)
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