Creating an intense demand for energy, the third world is waiting to be filled with the light of solar energy resources.
Many third world homes are without power. Living in areas where solar energy abounds, rural residents often live in small, one-room homes. To fulfill their minimal energy needs, those that go beyond the basics of living with kerosene lamps for heat and light use batteries, generally car batteries, that they take to the nearest villages to have recharged as often as possible. Not only is this inconvenient, it's expensive. Since it's an expense that is not an absolute necessity, a resident may well go without this additional resource as well. For children attempting to study at night, without light, it's harmful to the eyes, as well as scholastic endeavors. Many energy-impoverishments occur in areas where there is no power generation.
Building a traditional energy supply grid, especially in remote areas is simply too expensive for the government, or local enterprise, to create. With no current existing power grid, supporting solar energy for both "on-the-grid" and "off-the-grid" living for residents in rural areas particularly, not only makes sense...it is the only really viable option currently available.
There are a number of United States charities, including the Oprah Winfrey Foundation, that are contributing heavily to worldwide efforts to bring clean, renewable energy to third world residents. The focus is bringing solar energy that will be used for access to water, as well as light and heat.
The Solar Energy Light Fund, or SELF, has been a very involved partner in bringing solar energy to third world countries. Their mission statement says they will "provide solar power and wireless communications to a quarter of the world's population living in energy poverty." They've taken on the mission with a vengeance, and been extremely successful. Over 1,000 households in fourteen villages in western China now have solar power as a result of their efforts. They are working with local governments and agencies in various locations to help self-fund the construction and distribution of small-scale photovoltaic systems throughout rural areas. Masai herder tribes scattered throughout Tanzania now have communication through solar-powered telephones. Working with local residents in third world countries, many schools and clinics have installed photovoltaic systems where they previously had no power, and no real means of communication. SELF is currently working on a major project in Haiti that will bring solar-powered medical clinics to various locations across the country.
To provide fuel and shelter, many third world residents strip the available trees. In doing so, they're minimizing what foliage is available for shade and shelter not only for themselves, but for the animals. For fuel, they often burn animal dung that would otherwise be used as a fertilizer. They achieve enormous benefit by trading these sources of energy for a few solar panels. Not only can they have power for radios or small televisions, they can use one or two PV panels installed to maximize capture of the sun's energy and connected to a battery pack to provide year around heat and lights in many locations in the third world.
Walking many miles daily to the nearest village for water, rural residents have spent valuable hours that they can use more productively. Adding pipes and solar energy power pumps to homes or central village locations brings water directly to rural residents for both drinking and irrigation. This allows them to grow more crops and to create a more sustainable lifestyle.
Solar energy is making a difference in third world countries...for some the difference between living in poverty and living in abundance. With solar panels, many are now producing enough electricity for computers, radios and televisions. And they have the basics...water for drinking and irrigation, heat and lights.
Helping others helps you...it helps me. As we provide support for individuals and communities to build an infrastructure to support solar energy use, we build a better world for all of us to live in.
As all of us rely less on fossil fuels to support our basic needs, and more on renewable energy like solar, we will have more and more freedom...from energy barons...and from our own self-destruction through pollution and global warming.
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