Saturday, December 25, 2010

Rural Areas in Developing Nations use Small Roof-top Solar Panels for their Power

The New York Times published an article about how rural areas in developing nations are using small solar panels to generate electricity to power their cell phones and LED lighting since they do not have access to the power grid that the larger cities have. The problem is that there is no effective distribution network.

"With the advent of cheap solar panels and high-efficiency LED lights, which can light a room with just 4 watts of power instead of 60, these small solar systems now deliver useful electricity at a price that even the poor can afford, he noted. “You’re seeing herders in Inner Mongolia with solar cells on top of their yurts,” Mr. Younger said."

Read the article: African Huts Far From the Grid Glow With Renewable Power