Solar Islands – Winner of the Prix Evenir 2009

The 2009 Evenir Prize goes to the Solar Islands project.

For the last seven years this sustainable development prize amounting to 50 000 Swiss Francs has been awarded to ecological, economical and social projects. Additionally the jury honoured the «Bikes for Africa» project.

Floating solar energy units: Solar Islands objective is to produce clean energy on a large scale on a competitive basis. A large surface of solar collectors is installed on artificial islands floating in the sea. These collectors enable the conversion of solar energy to electricity, hydrogen or heat. By awarding Solar Islands, the jury of the 2009 Evenir Prize have selected a project, which opens new perspectives in the renewable energy sector and which will create new job opportunities, especially during the construction phase.
:: about solar islands

Affordable Mobility: Additionally to the 2009 Evenir Prize, the Petroleum Union awarded a mention of honour to the Bikes for Africa project from Winterthur. In Switzerland bicycles are collected and unemployed persons restore them. In Africa local partners buy these bicycles for „cost before profit“. These local partners earn their living by repairing and selling the bikes. Farmers, handypersons, office workers and students can then afford a sustainable type of mobility.

Bicycles change lives: Affordable transport, such as bicycles generates development and is environmentally recommended. "Re-Cycle", a UK charity collects bicycles in their country and ships them to Africa, where they are repaired, distributed and maintained.
:: About "Re-Cycle"