Chetan Jankee: The Mauritian Engineer Who Combines Earth and Sun

At just 32 years old, Chetan Jankee represents a new generation of Mauritian youth who have chosen to merge academic knowledge, entrepreneurial vision, and a commitment to a sustainable future. As the project director at SUNfarming Africa, he is recognized as one of the pioneers of agrivoltaics in Mauritius and the region.

An Academic Journey Across the Globe

Chetan's journey is closely tied to a passion that developed early on: the desire to understand how energy can transform lives. After completing his secondary education, he left Mauritius in 2011 to attend the University of Cape Town in South Africa. There, he immersed himself in the challenging field of electrical engineering. "It was in South Africa that I became aware of the climate emergency and the need to rethink our energy production methods," he shares.

Graduating in 2015, he returned home for his first professional experience, yet his aspirations were already directed towards broader horizons. By 2016, he headed to Germany after being accepted into the prestigious international Master’s program in Renewable Energy Technologies at the Technische Universität Berlin.

This education proved crucial. Rather than settling for theoretical knowledge, he specialized in the design and implementation of photovoltaic, wind, and hydroelectric systems. Europe, with its advanced policies on energy transition, opened his eyes to the vast array of existing solutions.

A Pivotal Encounter with SUNfarming

In 2018, while preparing for his internship and master's thesis, he joined SUNfarming GmbH in Berlin, a major player in solar energy. He was placed in the Food & Energy department, which explores the emerging idea of combining agriculture and solar energy production.

For six months, he absorbed this innovative model of agrivoltaics, which involves installing solar panels above crops, creating a symbiotic relationship between food and energy production. For his thesis, he chose Mauritius as his case study, demonstrating the feasibility and relevance of such a project on an island where land is scarce and precious.

"This study was a turning point. I realized that my country had a role to play in becoming a regional laboratory for sustainable solutions," he explains.

From Berlin Back to Port Louis: The Prodigal Son Returns

Impressed by his rigor and vision, SUNfarming hired him immediately after he completed his master's degree. He began as a project engineer for Africa and the Indian Ocean region, overseeing an ambitious portfolio that includes Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya, Uganda, South Africa, Togo, and even Sri Lanka.

In 2019, just eighteen months into his career, he quickly climbed the ranks to become project manager for the group while leading the Mauritian subsidiary, SUNfarming Africa Ltd. Based in Mauritius, he now oversees regional projects, managing technical challenges, negotiating with governments, and supporting farmers.

"My goal has always been clear: to return to the African continent to develop sustainable solutions. Africa is experiencing rapid growth, and energy demand is soaring. We must prepare, and agrivoltaics is one key solution," he states.

Agrivoltaics: A Silent Revolution in Mauritius

Mauritius, like many islands, faces a dilemma: how to balance energy production with food security when land is limited? Traditional solar farms require vast areas, often at the expense of agriculture.

Agrivoltaics changes that dynamic. Land is no longer "sacrificed"; it simultaneously produces electricity and vegetables. The partial shade beneath the solar panels creates a microclimate that protects crops from excessive sunlight, reduces water evaporation, and sometimes even increases yields.

In Gros Cailloux, SUNfarming Africa has established its pilot site, supported by MARENA (Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency) and the Ministry of Energy and Public Services. The results are promising. Tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, cucumbers: most vegetables consumed by Mauritians adapt perfectly to this hybrid system. This public-private collaboration demonstrates the Mauritian government's commitment to innovation in renewable energy and sustainable agriculture. "We have proven that dual land use is not only possible but also profitable and sustainable," asserts Chetan Jankee.

Strategy and Impact

SUNfarming Africa is now focusing on deploying similar projects across the country. Each installation requires an investment of between 12 and 25 million rupees, with a return expected in six to eight years. The lifespan exceeds 25 years.

But beyond the numbers, a true national strategy is emerging. By integrating farmers into the process, these projects offer a new perspective to young people who often hesitate to take over family lands. They address two major issues: food security and energy independence.

"We want every hectare of land to count double. To nourish Mauritians and produce clean, competitive, and accessible energy," summarizes the young director.

A Vision Rooted in the Future

While his daily routine is filled with technical meetings and site follow-ups, Chetan Jankee does not forget the human aspect of his job. He dreams of a country where young people do not flee from the land but rediscover it through modern technologies.

His journey inspires because it illustrates a choice to return to his roots: after Berlin and South Africa, he could have pursued a comfortable career in Europe. But he chose Mauritius, with its constraints, bureaucratic slowdowns, and energy challenges. "I believe this is where I can make the most significant impact. Every project is a stepping stone towards building a sustainable future," he reflects.

Contributing to National Goals

The Mauritian government's ambition is clear: to reach 60% renewable energy by 2030. The challenge is enormous, as evidenced by the difficulties faced by the Central Electricity Board in meeting demand. However, with solutions like agrivoltaics, the island can transform its constraints into opportunities.

At the same time, food dependency remains a major concern. Agrivoltaics offers an integrated response, where energy and food complement rather than compete with each other.

A Model for Young Mauritians

At just 32, Chetan Jankee is more than an engineer; he has become an ambassador for energy transition, proving that Mauritian youth can excel internationally while serving their country.

His message is clear: land is not an inheritance to neglect but a resource to reinvent. With innovation and boldness, it can nourish and illuminate the future.

By choosing the path of agrivoltaics, Chetan Jankee has paved a new way at the intersection of science, entrepreneurship, and civic engagement. A path where the sun and the earth unite to provide Mauritius with clean energy and resilient agriculture.