Electricity comes to rural communities through solar

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1993 · Solar Industry Journal; (United States)

OSTI ID:6991059

Because of the difficulty and cost of providing electric service to rural areas of developing countries, nearly two billion people still lack access to electricity. In the Dominican Republic, an exciting project using solar technology offers a practical approach to rural electrification, and promises a brighter future for many communities around the world. Since 1984, Enersol Associates Inc., a non-profit international development organization based in Latin America, has used solar technology and local resources to bring power and light to rural communities in the Dominican countryside that are beyond the existing electricity-distribution networks. Enersol provides technical training and business-development assistance to establish small local enterprises that supply and service solar-electric systems in rural communities. To make the systems affordable, Enersol establishes locally managed revolving loan funds which extend credit for system purchases. These funds provide an ongoing source of system financing, ensuring a sustainable, solar-based rural-electrification process. With proper training, local personnel can quickly acquire the skills needed to assemble, install, and maintain solar-electric systems. By combining technical training and small enterprise development with locally managed loan funds, this approach makes solar systems both available and affordable.

• OSTI ID: 6991059
• Journal Information: Solar Industry Journal; (United States), Vol. 4:2; ISSN 1050-5660
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
HOUSES
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SUPPLIES
RURAL AREAS
ELECTRIC POWER
SOLAR ENERGY
USES
FINANCING
BUILDINGS
ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
EQUIPMENT
POWER
POWER SUPPLIES
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
140600* - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems