C2I 2024 winner Energy and Environment: Aftrak

In-Depth

Aftrak combines off-grid solar with electrified tractors to boost farm yields in Africa and support local communities

Category: Energy & Environment
Project: Aftrak 
Partners: Loughborough University, The Consortium for Battery Innovation, Tiyeni, Clarios

This year’s winner in the Energy & Environment category hits both sides of the brief, harnessing innovative energy technology to help communities transform their environments and increase agricultural yields.

Led by the University of Loughborough, Aftrak combines an off-grid solar and storage microgrid system with a bespoke electric tractor vehicle. It enables African farmers to carry out deep bed farming (DBF), a technique developed by Malawian non-profit Tiyeni.

The walk-behind electric tractor at the heart of Aftrak is a bespoke design, powered by an off-grid solar array manufactured specifically for easy field assembly. The array is a series of modular units comprised of two 550W front and 115W back bifacial solar panels, MPPT, 48V battery bank, inverter for mains power supply, and charger for the Aftrak Micro Electric Tractor. While Africa has a long history with microgrids, results have often failed to meet expectations.

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agri-tech
C2I
microgrids