WEF Nexus Innovations Database

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SunCulture RainMaker

SunCulture RainMaker
Solar-powered irrigation system designed for smallholder farmers to enhance crop yields and conserve water.
Relation to WEF Nexus:
energy, food, water
Technology Readiness Level:
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
Openness & Replicability:
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
Type of funding:
NGO donor, Private Investment
Application Area:
Rural environment
Application

The SunCulture RainMaker is a solar-powered irrigation solution developed to support smallholder farmers in boosting agricultural productivity while conserving water resources. This innovative system utilizes energy from the sun to pump water for irrigation, making it both sustainable and cost-effective. It is specifically designed to address the needs of farmers in regions with limited access to electricity or high fuel costs.

The RainMaker system can irrigate up to one acre of farmland, delivering water directly to crops through drip irrigation, which minimizes water wastage and ensures efficient use of resources. By integrating precision agriculture techniques, the system enables farmers to optimize water usage and improve crop yields, even in areas prone to drought.

In addition to irrigation, SunCulture offers a complete agricultural package, including soil testing, agronomic support, and financing options, making the technology accessible to a wide range of farmers.The RainMaker system has been deployed in several African countries, includingKenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, where it has empowered farmers to achieve greater food security and economic stability.

Relevant URLs & References
SunCulture
Introducing RainMaker2 with ClimateSmart™
THE SOLAR RAIN MAKER
No items found.
Location
Developed in Kenya and used in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Ethiopia.
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Wind energy to pump water for irrigation and drinking
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Wind energy to pump water for irrigation and drinking
Utilizing wind energy to pump water for irrigation and drinking purposes in remote areas
energy, water
Rural environment
MEDIUM
Open-Source (High Replicability)
TRL 7 (System Prototype Demonstrated)
Grants, NGO donor
Solar-Powered Internet Hubs
Internet access points powered by solar energy
Solar-Powered Internet Hubs
Internet access points powered by solar energy
Internet access points powered by solar energy, providing connectivity in remote areas.
energy,
Rural environment
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
Private Investment, Grants
Solar-Powered Ice Makers
Use of solar energy to produce ice
Solar-Powered Ice Makers
Use of solar energy to produce ice
Devices that use solar energy to produce ice, important for food preservation and medical purposes.
energy, food
Rural environment
MEDIUM
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
NGO donor, Private Investment
Solar fish-drying technology
Devices using solar energy to dry fish
Solar fish-drying technology
Devices using solar energy to dry fish
Devices using solar energy to dry fish, preserving it for longer periods
energy, food
Rural environment, Coastal Areas
MEDIUM
Open-Source (High Replicability)
TRL 7 (System Prototype Demonstrated)
NGO donor, Crowdfunding
Solar-Powered Water Purification Backpacks
Portable water purification
Solar-Powered Water Purification Backpacks
Portable water purification
Solar-powered backpacks that purify water on the go.
energy, water
Rural environment, Urban environment
MEDIUM
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 4 (Technology Validation in Lab)
NGO donor, Private Investment
Berkeley-Darfur Stove
Biomass cookstove
Berkeley-Darfur Stove
Biomass cookstove
A low-cost biomass cookstove, co-designed with UC Berkeley and displaced women in Darfur, uses 66% less fuel and cuts smoke emissions by 77%.
energy, food
Rural environment, Urban environment
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 9 (Actual System Proven)
Private Investment
AIDFI Hydraulic Ram Pump
Lifting water to high elevations
AIDFI Hydraulic Ram Pump
Lifting water to high elevations
A hydro-powered ram pump that lifts water to higher elevations, providing sustainable access for upland communities.
energy, water
Mountains, Forests, Rivers And Lakes, Rural environment
MEDIUM
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
Private Investment
Scheffler solar cooking
Scheffler type solar concentrators
Scheffler solar cooking
Scheffler type solar concentrators
Application of Scheffler type solar concentrators to cooking systems of different scale
energy, food
Rural environment, Urban environment
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 9 (Actual System Proven)
Grants
Rocketworks Stove
Multi-fuel gasifying cookstove
Rocketworks Stove
Multi-fuel gasifying cookstove
A stainless steel insulated cookstove with a convection air duct that burns both fuel and smoke.
energy, food
Rural environment, Urban environment,
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 9 (Actual System Proven)
Private Investment
Microalgae Cultivation for Biofuel
Microalgae as a source of biofuel
Microalgae Cultivation for Biofuel
Microalgae as a source of biofuel
Cultivating microalgae as a source of biofuel, providing a renewable energy source and utilizing CO2 emissions
energy, food
Rural environment, Urban environment
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 7 (System Prototype Demonstrated)
Private Investment, Grants
Hybrid Solar-Wind Energy Systems
Combining solar and wind energy
Hybrid Solar-Wind Energy Systems
Combining solar and wind energy
Combining solar and wind energy to provide a reliable and consistent power supply for remote communities
energy,
Rural environment, Coastal Areas
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 9 (Actual System Proven)
Private Investment, Grants
AgroSolar Irrigation
Solar-powered irrigation systems
AgroSolar Irrigation
Solar-powered irrigation systems
Solar-powered irrigation systems that provide water to crops while simultaneously generating electricity
energy, food, water
Rural environment
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
Private Investment
SunCulture RainMaker
Solar-powered irrigation system.
SunCulture RainMaker
Solar-powered irrigation system.
Solar-powered irrigation system designed for smallholder farmers to enhance crop yields and conserve water.
energy, food, water
Rural environment
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
NGO donor, Private Investment
HydraLoop
Recycling of greywater for reuse.
HydraLoop
Recycling of greywater for reuse.
A system that recycles greywater for reuse in households, reducing water consumption and waste.
water
Rural environment, Urban environment
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 9 (Actual System Proven)
Private Investment
Groasis Waterboxx
Collects and stores dew and rainwater
Groasis Waterboxx
Collects and stores dew and rainwater
A device that collects and stores dew and rainwater to irrigate plants in arid environments.
food, water
Rural environment, Urban environment, Drought-Prone Areas
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
NGO donor, Grants
CoolBot
Build your own walk-in cooler
CoolBot
Build your own walk-in cooler
A device that converts a standard air conditioner into a low-cost walk-in cooler for preserving food
energy, food
Rural environment, Urban environment, Mountains, Forests, Rivers And Lakes, Coastal Areas, Flood-Prone Areas, Drought-Prone Areas
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
NGO donor, Private Investment
Aquion Energy Batteries
Saltwater batteries
Aquion Energy Batteries
Saltwater batteries
Saltwater batteries designed for long-duration energy storage, safe and environmentally friendly
energy
Rural environment, Urban environment
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
Grants, Private Investment
DripTech
Drip irrigation systems
DripTech
Drip irrigation systems
Affordable drip irrigation systems that conserve water and increase crop yields, designed for smallholder farmers
water, food
Rural environment,
HIGH
Open-Source (High Replicability)
TRL 7 (System Prototype Demonstrated)
Grants, NGO donor
FarmBot
Automated precision farming device
FarmBot
Automated precision farming device
An open-source, automated precision farming device that plants, waters, and monitors crops using advanced robotics
water, energy, food
Rural environment, Urban environment
MEDIUM
Open-Source (High Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
Private Investment, NGO donor
Futurepump SF2 Solar Water Pump
Solar-powered water pump
Futurepump SF2 Solar Water Pump
Solar-powered water pump
The Futurepump SF2 is a solar-powered water pump designed for smallholder farmers to enable sustainable irrigation
water, energy
Rural environment
MEDIUM
Open-Source (High Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
Crowdfunding, Private Investment
Warka Water Tower
Water-harvesting tower
Warka Water Tower
Water-harvesting tower
A tower that harvests water from the air through condensation, designed for use in remote communities.
water
Rural environment
MEDIUM
Open-Source (High Replicability)
TRL 7 (System Prototype Demonstrated)
NGO donor, Grants
Hydropanel Systems by Source
Solar moisture extractor
Hydropanel Systems by Source
Solar moisture extractor
Solar-powered panels that extract moisture from the air to produce clean drinking water.
water, energy
Forests, Rivers and lakes
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 9 (Actual System Proven)
Private Investment
Waterseer
Air condensation purifier
Waterseer
Air condensation purifier
A device that condenses water vapor from the air to provide clean drinking water.
water
Forests, Mountains
HIGH
Proprietary (Medium Replicability)
TRL 8 (System Complete and Qualified)
Private Investment
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