Velma Mukoro

Velma Mukoro is a PhD researcher at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Research in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace, and Civil Engineering. Her research project on life cycle assessments of solar energy business models in Kenya quantifies the environmental impacts of manufacturing, transporting, using, and disposing solar photovoltaic systems implemented in on-grid and off-grid markets. The project evaluates the effectiveness of circular economy business models in mitigating the impacts of incumbents to inform decision-making at the micro and macro-level. Velma is collaborating with solar energy companies in Kenya to explore and co-create strategies that transform incumbent linear business models to deliver environmental value, satisfy customers' needs while remaining competitive and profitable.

Velma has experience in off-grid renewable energy in developing countries, working on areas such as policy and strategy, monitoring and evaluation, supporting pilot projects, capacity building, feasibility studies, and knowledge exchange.  She was an advisor for the 'Promotion of solar-hybrid mini-grids' (ProSolar) project which is implemented in Kenya by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development. 

• Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
• Life Cycle Costs (LCC)
• Renewable energy
• Business models
• Circular economy

Dr Maria Sharmina, University of Manchester

Dr Alejandro Gallego-Schmid, University of Manchester