| No where is the demand for energy more | | | | distribution of small-scale photovoltaic systems. |
| intense, nor the ability to fill that demand more | | | | They have worked to help scattered Masai |
| viable with solar energy, than in the third world. | | | | herder tribes acquire solar-powered telephones in |
| Many third world homes are without power. Living | | | | Tanzania. They have installed photovoltaic |
| in areas where solar energy abounds, rural | | | | systems in schools and clinics in many third world |
| residents often live in small, one-room homes. To | | | | countries, and are currently very involved in a |
| fulfill their minimal energy needs, those that go | | | | project in Haiti that will help bring solar-powered |
| beyond the basics of living with kerosene lamps | | | | medical clinics across the country into being. |
| for heat and light use batteries, generally car | | | | Many third world residents strip trees for fuel and |
| batteries, that they take to the nearest villages | | | | shelter. They burn animal dung for fuel. In doing |
| to have recharged as often as possible. Not only | | | | so, they are using up most of their minimal |
| is this inconvenient, it's expensive. Since it's an | | | | foliage, resulting in loss of shade and shelter for |
| expense that is not an absolute necessity, a | | | | themselves and other animals. They are creating |
| resident may well go without this additional | | | | toxic fumes with burning dung, and losing the |
| resource as well. For children attempting to study | | | | potential of its use for natural fertilizer. One or |
| at night, without light, it's harmful to the eyes, as | | | | two PV cells, installed to maximize capture of the |
| well as scholastic endeavors. Many | | | | sun's energy, connected to a battery pack, can |
| energy-impoverishments occur in areas where | | | | provide year around heat and light in many |
| there is no power generation. | | | | locations, as well as power radios or small |
| Building a traditional energy supply grid, especially in | | | | televisions. |
| remote areas is simply too expensive for the | | | | In addition, in many areas where water had not |
| government, or local enterprise, to create. With | | | | been available, or required residents to make a |
| no current existing power grid, supporting solar | | | | daily walk to the nearest village for water, solar |
| energy for both "on-the-grid" and "off-the-grid" | | | | energy now powers pumps that bring the water |
| living for residents in rural areas particularly, not | | | | to their homes or a more central location, as well |
| only makes sense...it is the only really viable option | | | | as provide power for irrigation systems that allow |
| currently available. | | | | them to grow more crops, and create a more |
| Many United States charities are currently | | | | sustainable lifestyle. |
| contributing to efforts to help third world | | | | Solar stoves, solar water heaters, solar panels to |
| residents get clean, renewable energy, particularly | | | | produce enough electricity for lights, computers, |
| solar energy to use for heat, light, and access to | | | | radio and television, along with power for irrigation |
| water. The Oprah Winfrey Foundation is one of | | | | systems can make the difference between living |
| these charities. | | | | in poverty, and living in abundance in a third world |
| Another very involved partner is SELF, Solar | | | | country. |
| Energy Light Fund. Their mission is to "provide | | | | To help individuals and communities in those |
| solar power and wireless communications to a | | | | countries build an infrastructure that will support |
| quarter of the world's population living in energy | | | | solar energy use...and production...will make it not |
| poverty." It's a daunting mission...one they've not | | | | only a better world for them...but for us. |
| only taken on, but have been very successful at. | | | | As all of us rely less on fossil fuels to support our |
| Bringing solar power in western China to 1,000 | | | | basic needs, and more on renewable energy like |
| households in fourteen villages, they have worked | | | | solar, we will have more and more freedom...from |
| in many areas with local governments and | | | | energy barons...and from our own self-destruction |
| agencies to help self-fund the building and | | | | through pollution and global warming. |