Solar power is fantastic. Here at Cleantechnica, we’ve talked a bit in the past about how solar power has affected nations worldwide, from developing to developed nations, and we’ve taken a look at some of the new and exciting ways to use solar energy. Today, we’d like to call your attention to British international development charity SolarAid — it’s chronicling how solar power literally saves lives in Africa.
SolarAid is promoting solar power in place of kerosene, which has a number of drawbacks as an energy source (it’s heavy and hard to transport, it’s extraordinarily flammable, and it gives off toxic fumes). Solar power does and is none of this. As Sami grover of TreeHugger writes:
“Take Brave Mhonie, for instance, who has experienced first hand the everyday hardships of living without reliable light, and seen impacts ranging from the inconvenient to the tragic. He’s had to run 10km just to buy kerosene. He’s had to curtail conversations with family early because there was no light to talk by. He’s been hospitalized from the impact of kerosene fumes. And he’s seen members of his community die for lack of light.”
Here’s a neat video on all this as well:
For more, check out SolarAid or the TreeHugger post mentioned above.
Image Source: SolarAid
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