We have published a number of articles on the benefits of solar power for Third World countries. Many of these regions are so far from grid-based electricity that the International Energy Agency estimates that half of those currently living without electricity (about 1.2 billion people) will never be reached by the grid.
This means that distributed generation solar power (produced and consumed on the same site) is key to bringing inhabitants of Third World regions the necessary advancements they need for health, safety and quality of life. In other words, power plants likely will never serve these people. They need solar panels installed in their villages so that the renewable energy resources can be tapped locally.
Why is it Important to Bring Solar to Third World Regions?
1. Cost of Lighting
Kerosene and candles are often the only means of lighting living spaces in certain areas of the world. Yet, they are disproportionately expensive for the impoverished people that rely on them. One statistic states that the poorest fifth of the world pays one-fifth of the world’s lighting bill — but receives only .1 percent of the lighting benefits. The cost of this energy is about $180/year, adding up to nearly $2000 over a decade. The cost of kerosene depletes 25-30% of a poor family’s income.
Instead of kerosene and candles, a 40 watt home solar power system can be purchased for only $300 and will provide not only lighting, but also electricity to charge cell phones, run fans and power other electronic devices like computers and TVs.
2. Environmental Safety
Use of kerosene is unhealthy and unsafe. Lighting a room with a kerosene lamp can result in an increase in indoor pollution by ten-fold. Each year about 1.5 million people die from this exposure. When the lamps tip over, fires often start, harming or killing even more people each year.
3. Health Reasons
Living off-grid, without traditional power sources, people in Third World countries often lack the ability to keep medications sufficiently chilled or food maintained at a safe temperature. Electric refrigerators run on solar power can be a significant improvement in the quality of life.
How can we Bring Solar Power and Electricity to Third World Regions?
While the use of solar power by people in developing regions can vastly improve their lives, they do not have the funds up front to invest in the renewable energy resource. In order to help bring distributed solar energy to the approximately 1.2 billion people who live off grid, experts agree that we need: (1) up front investment capital for the cost of solar panels and installation; (2) a way to recoup the annual cost of solar electricity generated by the installed systems (much less than the cost of kerosene); and (3) networks/partnerships to actually bring the solar panel systems to Third World regions.
With the cost of solar panels having dropped dramatically over the past few years, the resource is much more affordable for everyone. Not only does that improve the prospects of bringing solar power to developing regions, but the overall health of the planet stands to benefit. The annual carbon emissions from kerosene lighting is the equivalent of the greenhouse gases put out each year by the entire British economy!
In short, helping to bring solar to Third World countries will be life-changing for the people that live there, and the entire world.