0
Solar In Africa.JPG 37.1K
0 downloadsA recent article in renewable energy world is talking about bringing energy to the developing world’s to end energy poverty. It is estimated that over 1.3 billion people live without regular access to energy. That lack of energy affects every aspect of daily life.
First and foremost is access to clean water. Literally water is life, and without it people are forced to walk many miles for water or use polluted sources. Water born diseases such as Cholera, E coli, Botulism, Taeniasis and many others cause thousands of deaths. Yet in many areas clean water is available, case and point is sub Saharan Africa where millions of gallons of clean fresh water could be used if energy can be found to simply pump it out of the ground.
Next is deforestation and land use issues. Without energy people are forced to use more and more trees to cook food. This cycle of deforestation causes soil erosion and upsets the hydrological cycle causing desertification, while causing land that had been used to grow food to become unusable.
So why is solar energy the best answer? First and foremost solar power is the best alternative because it doesn’t require any prior infrastructure or use of existing resources. It’s safe for nighttime light, and can generate power for other uses, such as charging cell phones or powering medical equipment, powering pumps for water and lighting buildings.
Solar’s ability to configure small modular generative power allows villages to provide basic needs. Ending energy poverty is about more than helping people see at night — it’s about economic opportunity, safer and healthier communities, better educational opportunities and connection to the rest of the world.
To read how five companies are bringing solar to the poorest of our planet who need it most click on the following link. http://www.renewable...ay-August4-2012
What do you think?
Can we use these same types of ideas to help people here in the United States also?
Where would you integrate solar to help people today?