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Request for Proposals (RFP) - Assessment of Carbon Credit Generation Potential of Solar Cooking Technology 

Issued by: Solar Cookers International 
Issue Date: 9 June 2025 
Submission Deadline: 25 June 2025 

1. Introduction 

Solar Cookers International (www.solarcookers.org) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve human health, economic well-being, women’s empowerment, and the environment by promoting climate-friendly solar cooking for vulnerable populations worldwide.  

Solar Cookers International (SCI) is seeking proposals from qualified carbon credit project experts to conduct a feasibility assessment for the generation of carbon credits through the deployment of solar cooking technology in the Central African Republic and Mali. The goal is to evaluate the technical, financial, and carbon offset potential of these interventions and determine the viability of developing carbon offset projects under internationally recognized standards (e.g., Gold Standard, Verra/VCS). 

2. Background 

Access to clean and sustainable cooking technologies remains limited in many parts of the Central African Republic and Mali. Widespread reliance on traditional biomass fuels contributes to deforestation, household air pollution, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Solar cooking represents a beneficial, low-emissions alternative. To support potential scaling of currently funded solar cooking initiatives, SCI aims to assess whether solar cooking deployments in these regions can generate verifiable emissions reductions eligible for carbon credit certification. The solar cookstoves included in this initiative primarily are solar thermal designs, with some solar photovoltaic electric cookstoves in specific locations. 

SCI’s collaborators in Mali and the Central African Republic are French speaking. SCI staff language capabilities include French and English. Internally SCI staff operate primarily in English. 

This consultancy could be conducted entirely remotely. Coordination would be primarily with SCI staff, who are located in the Pacific and Eastern time zones in the United States of America, so common times would need to be found for any scheduled meetings. 

SCI has data from other regions (such as Kenya) that could help inform background knowledge for this. 

3. Objectives of the Assignment 

  • Assess the carbon credit generation potential from the use of solar cooking technologies in selected regions of the Central African Republic and Mali. 

  • Identify applicable methodologies (e.g., Gold Standard Technologies and Practices to Displace Decentralized Thermal Energy Consumption, or equivalent). 

  • Estimate the expected emissions reductions based on local baseline cooking practices and technology adoption rates. 

  • Evaluate the eligibility and requirements for carbon credit certification. 

  • Provide high-level recommendations on project structuring, implementation pathways, and potential co-benefits. 

  • Analyze expected costs and potential revenue along with factors influencing market viability. 

  • Key final deliverable expectations would be a written report and meeting with SCI staff to summarize findings, with informational meetings along the way. 

4. Scope of Work 

The selected consultant or organization will: 

  • Conduct desk research, participate in stakeholder discussions, and review baseline data on cooking practices, fuel usage, and household energy needs. 

  • Model projected emissions reductions and potential carbon revenues. 

  • Recommend suitable carbon standards and methodologies. 

  • Contribute to project Feasibility Study and Market Assessment reports for each respective target country (Central African Republic and Mali). 

  • Develop a summary feasibility report including: 

  • Baseline scenario analysis 

  • Expected emission reductions 

  • MRV (Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification) framework 

  • Risk and barrier analysis and recommendations for risk mitigation 

  • Preliminary project economics 

  • Prospective outlook of carbon credit markets and influencing factors 

5. Proposal Requirements 

Proposals should include: 

  • Organization overview and relevant experience including designating the primary person or people who would be performing this work and their role(s) 

  • Technical approach and work plan 

  • Timeline and deliverables 

  • Budget (including a breakdown of costs) 

  • Examples of similar work (preferably in Sub-Saharan Africa) including links and/or attachments if possible 

6. Evaluation Criteria 

Proposals will be evaluated based on: 

  • Technical understanding and proposed methodology 

  • Experience with carbon credit projects and relevant standards 

  • Cost-effectiveness (projected budget for this work is approximately $ 5,000 - $ 10,000 USD) 

  • Regional knowledge and contextual understanding 

  • Team qualifications and past performance 

7. Submission Guidelines 

Please submit your proposal to partnerships@solarcookers.org by 25 June 2025. Questions or requests for clarification may be directed to partnerships@solarcookers.org. 

SCI is committed to building a just and equitable world, one where all voices are heard and respected regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or physical ability. SCI does not discriminate based on any of these factors. 

8. Timeline 

Submission Deadline: Wednesday, 25 June 2025 

Submission of proposals before the stated deadline is encouraged. Interviews will be conducted with the top candidates. All candidates will be notified once a final decision has been made regarding the selected candidate. 

Expected final consultancy deliverables deadline: Friday, 19 September 2025 

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