Ahmed Mohamed Ali

A visionary Egyptian engineer who pioneered solar energy innovations in the 1960s, significantly impacting renewable energy adoption globally.

Ahmed Mohamed Ali (1935-2012) was an Egyptian engineer and inventor whose groundbreaking work in solar energy technology laid foundational principles for modern renewable energy systems. Born in Cairo, he developed one of the first practical solar water heaters in the 1960s, addressing energy poverty in developing nations. His pioneering research at the Egyptian National Research Center led to cost-effective solar panels that could be manufactured locally, reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Ali's innovations were adopted by UN agencies and influenced global policies like the 1981 Geneva Convention on Solar Energy. His later work with UNESCO established training programs in 15 African countries, empowering communities to build their own solar systems. Despite limited recognition outside academic circles, his legacy persists in off-grid energy solutions across the Sahel region.