For developing regions in Third World countries, many of life’s basic necessities are difficult to achieve due to poverty and/or living far from the electrical grid. Keeping medical supplies at cool temperatures via refrigeration, making emergency telephone calls, lighting living spaces in a safe manner, and even purifying water and cooking food can be challenging, if not impossible.
Using solar power benefits Third World countries because the resource is ample and inexpensive. Consider this startling fact: Africa has 9 times the solar energy potential of Europe—an annual equivalent of 100 million tons of oil. If even a fraction of this solar power was tapped into, impoverished countries could even boost their economies by selling excess solar electricity to European countries.
In recognition of the value of solar power to developing countries, Sunbelt International recently announced an initiative to aggressively develop and deploy solar energy technologies and systems in third world countries. According to Sunbelt International President Fang Soo Lui:
“It is the strategic objective of Sunbelt International to approach emerging markets with sustainable energy alternatives.”
Sunbelt will work with a number of developing nations to install the solar power units.
In addition to Sunbelt’s new initiative, the World Bank announced last year that a $5.5 billion package would be invested in utility scale solar power plants in Africa. One of its goals was to encourage additional private investments and entrepreneurs.
With solar power projects in Africa, CO2 emissions can be reduced by 740 million tons annually. And that is a benefit that can be enjoyed by the entire world!