Can passive solar technology help meet African village energy needs

Conference · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6781929

Lillywhite, M; Lillywhite, L

Findings based on attempts to implement renewable energy in African villages over the last three years are presented. Specifically, village energy needs are identified and passive solar technologies are matched with each need. This needs/technology matching process is dominated by social, economic and cultural considerations. It is shown how the technology can only have significance when adapted to particular village settings and when it is understood within the cultural framework of the people. The resources available to most African villages are sunlight, mud, dung, thatch and person power. Villagers must be trained to make solar units such as solar ovens, passive air heaters, food dryers, water heaters, passive coolers and insulation out of these materials and some imported glass or fiberglass. These solar units must cost less than ten or fifteen dollars. Experiences in training, construction, performance and village acceptance are presented along with justification for the conclusion that passive solar technology has limited, but important, applications in improving living conditions and health standards in African villages.

• Research Organization: Domestic Technology Inst., Evergreen, CO
• OSTI ID: 6781929
• Report Number(s): CONF-801016-(Vol.1)
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Proc. Annu. Meet. - Am. Sect. Int. Sol. Energy Soc.; (United States) Journal Volume: 5.1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140901* -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Space Heating & Cooling
140907 -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Water Heating
140909 -- Solar Thermal Utilization-- Miscellaneous Solar Applications-- (1980-)
AFRICA
AIR HEATERS
APPLIANCES
CONSTRUCTION
DESIGN
DRYERS
EDUCATION
ENERGY SYSTEMS
EQUIPMENT
HEATERS
HEATING SYSTEMS
PASSIVE SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
PERFORMANCE
RURAL AREAS
SOLAR AIR HEATERS
SOLAR COLLECTORS
SOLAR COOKERS
SOLAR DRYERS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SOLAR HEATING SYSTEMS
SOLAR WATER HEATERS
SURVEYS
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION
THERMAL INSULATION
WATER HEATERS