Governments in Africa and other developing nations are beginning to make moves to ensure that power is provided to remote areas that are off of the power grid. Many of these projects are supported in partnership with the governments of first world countries as well as the Global Environmental Facility (GEF), managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The hope is that within ten years, as many as 70,000 households will be provided with power. Read the full article (http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?sid=6&aid=183&dir=2012/May/Friday11), for more information on solar developments in Botswana.
The Sun’s Energy Can Revolutionize Third World Farms
Written on Monday, May 14th, 2012
Countries like Botswana with its Kalahari Desert are known to be hot, arid places. Information from Botswana's Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Affairs indicates that Botswana receives 3,200 hours of sunshine annually or 21 milijoules per m2 per day. Even now, farmers in these sorts of climates rely on diesel to power their machinery. A shame considering how much solar energy is available.
But progress is being made. Some farms are installing solar panels with batteries to store the energy. Along with an inverter, the suns energy can be captured, stored and converted from DC into AC to provide power for light, TV's, computers and to charge phones. Not only does this allow small communities and farms to remain connected to the world, but it reduces the ongoing expense of having to continue to buy diesel fuel.