No where is the demand for energy more intense, nor the ability to fill that demand more viable with solar energy, than in the third world.
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.
Many United States charities are currently contributing to efforts to help third world residents get clean, renewable energy, particularly solar energy to use for heat, light, and access to water. The Oprah Winfrey Foundation is one of these charities.
Another very involved partner is SELF, Solar Energy Light Fund. Their mission is to "provide solar power and wireless communications to a quarter of the world's population living in energy poverty." It's a daunting mission...one they've not only taken on, but have been very successful at. Bringing solar power in western China to 1,000 households in fourteen villages, they have worked in many areas with local governments and agencies to help self-fund the building and distribution of small-scale photovoltaic systems. They have worked to help scattered Masai herder tribes acquire solar-powered telephones in Tanzania. They have installed photovoltaic systems in schools and clinics in many third world countries, and are currently very involved in a project in Haiti that will help bring solar-powered medical clinics across the country into being.
Many third world residents strip trees for fuel and shelter. They burn animal dung for fuel. In doing so, they are using up most of their minimal foliage, resulting in loss of shade and shelter for themselves and other animals. They are creating toxic fumes with burning dung, and losing the potential of its use for natural fertilizer. One or two PV cells, installed to maximize capture of the sun's energy, connected to a battery pack, can provide year around heat and light in many locations, as well as power radios or small televisions.
In addition, in many areas where water had not been available, or required residents to make a daily walk to the nearest village for water, solar energy now powers pumps that bring the water to their homes or a more central location, as well as provide power for irrigation systems that allow them to grow more crops, and create a more sustainable lifestyle.
Solar stoves, solar water heaters, solar panels to produce enough electricity for lights, computers, radio and television, along with power for irrigation systems can make the difference between living in poverty, and living in abundance in a third world country.
To help individuals and communities in those countries build an infrastructure that will support solar energy use...and production...will make it not only a better world for them...but for us.
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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