The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Daniel Kammen to its Board of Directors. A global leader in clean energy innovation, energy access, and climate justice, Dr. Kammen brings decades of experience advancing equitable, science-based climate solutions in communities around the world. His appointment strengthens SELF’s commitment to delivering solar-powered infrastructure that supports health, opportunity, and climate resilience in off-grid regions. 

“SELF has been a powerhouse in this field for decades,” says Dr. Kammen. “Its commitment to community-led design and long-term impact is both inspiring and deeply needed. I’m excited to support SELF’s work at a moment when distributed solar is rapidly transforming what’s possible for communities around the world.” 

Dr. Kammen is a Bloomberg Distinguished Professor at Johns Hopkins University, where he works across engineering, public policy, and sustainable development. Prior to joining Johns Hopkins, he spent more than two decades at the University of California, Berkeley, where he served as the James and Katherine Lau Distinguished Professor of Sustainability. His research spans topics including decarbonization, clean transportation, and energy access. He has published more than 500 papers and directs the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL), which designs, tests, and disseminates renewable and appropriate energy systems. 

A recognized leader in global climate policy, Dr. Kammen has served as Senior Advisor for Energy and Innovation at USAID, Science Envoy for the U.S. Department of State, and Coordinating Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He has advised the World Bank, the state of California, and multiple federal agencies, and serves on the boards of Native Renewables, the Chabot Space and Science Center, and the Human Needs Project. 

“Dan’s expertise is extraordinary, but what stands out even more is his commitment to justice,” says Bob Freling, SELF’s executive director. “He understands that clean energy is not just a climate solution, but also the foundation for a more just, equitable future. His leadership will help us scale technology and programs that match the urgency of the moment.” 

Dr. Kammen’s appointment comes at a time when distributed solar solutions are gaining traction as a primary tool for rural electrification and climate resilience. SELF has spent three and a half decades partnering with off-grid communities to deploy these systems, delivering reliable energy for health clinics, farms, schools, and more. Dr. Kammen’s leadership will help strengthen and expand these efforts as SELF continues advancing clean energy access across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.