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Solar energy brings power to rural Africa

CNN -- (CNN) -- In rural communities of Africa -- where more than 95 percent of homes have no access to electricity -- solar energy has the power to transform lives.

Globally, 1.5 billion people, one quarter of the world's population, live without electricity, according to a United Nations report.

Those who can afford any power at all spend large proportions of their income on kerosene for lamps or travel to larger towns to charge their batteries several times a week.

Burning kerosene contributes to indoor air pollution, which is estimated to kill 1.6 million people each year. Kerosene lamps also lead to fires that cause severe burns and deaths.

Solar energy saves families money as well as allowing children to study in the evenings and giving families access to information through rad

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Submitted Aug 28, 2010 By: BMW2014

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vandamme Champion Author New York Posts:1,021 Points:118,085 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2010 9:23:09 AM Ignore vandamme Report Abuse As you can see from my picture (that's a lemur on my shoulder), I've been to the poorest part of Africa and I can tell you that solar power is starting to revolutionize the continent. Hopefully they will join modern society yet not pick up our wasteful habits.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,272 Points:1,143,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2010 6:07:33 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse rx7racerca: you're right. Most ppl don't read past the headline. It's already amazing if they get to the bottom where it says "read full article" As for attitude, seems different strands of attitude come from differnt parts in the country, but seem to concentrate in those areas.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:15,272 Points:1,143,275 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2010 6:05:17 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse jrsva: maybe need to send Amplion along w/ the solar panels?
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:7,151 Points:1,147,240 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Aug 30, 2010 12:28:04 AM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse Great comment there Amplion. Where did you get that kind of attitude? Every home and business in the US should have solar panels or be planning to install them. It is a big step toward getting our fossil-fuel use under control.
rx7racerca Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,588 Points:709,420 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 11:05:06 AM Ignore rx7racerca Report Abuse What's with all the negative comments? Oh, right, just standard issue it seems on GB. A Dutch non-profit helps businesses to train, market, and run their businesses so they can sell affordable solar to Africans otherwise without electricity? No giving anything away, just promoting independent businesses to sell power systems effectively in rural Africa. Sound's like "The American Way" - without any American involvement, mind. Lot of comments sound like they think American tax dollars are giving stuff away to Africa. Maybe reading the article would help before commenting...
Amplion Champion Author Oregon Posts:4,249 Points:1,399,510 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 4:37:00 AM Ignore Amplion Report Abuse FINALLY, A GOOD PLACE FOR THOSE SOLAR PANELS! Send them ALL to Africa!
MAC48 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:728 Points:499,925 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 4:05:42 AM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse What does this article have to do with motor fuel prices??
jcurley Champion Author California Posts:5,644 Points:1,323,620 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 3:54:26 AM Ignore jcurley Report Abuse It is very nice of the Dutch non-profit organization to do this. It is amazing how just having a light source is so important. [Edited by: jcurley at 8/29/2010 3:55:08 AM EST]
DellDude2 Champion Author Nashville Posts:6,788 Points:1,657,060 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 2:06:16 AM Ignore DellDude2 Report Abuse Great, now they need to be sent a microwave, a refrigerator, a tv and a computer so they have something to do with that energy. Somebody call Bono for another "We are the World" concert to raise the money to do it!
craigsf38 Champion Author Rochester Posts:3,425 Points:1,047,865 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 2:01:48 AM Ignore craigsf38 Report Abuse GREAT news for those it can help. now lets see if we can get it to help the rest of us off oil
neemund Champion Author Seattle Posts:4,162 Points:1,085,045 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:59:35 AM Ignore neemund Report Abuse PithyOpiner, I've done it, one is plenty of light if fully charged thanks to directional reflectors, more than one is even better. Change the battery type and you could get considerably more light out of them for a shorter period of time, since in the summer mine are still glowing when the sun comes up. Emitting twice the light in half the time would be useful to someone using one as a primary light source. [Edited by: neemund at 8/29/2010 2:00:01 AM EST]
hubcapLA Champion Author Louisiana Posts:2,569 Points:664,805 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:56:58 AM Ignore hubcapLA Report Abuse Those garden variety solar lights light up my entire carport at night and they are very cheap. I could easily read by that light because they are very bright LEDs! Good idea for those people to start with.
hybridaholic Champion Author Appleton Posts:5,991 Points:1,095,265 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:53:09 AM Ignore hybridaholic Report Abuse Good for the third world
cruisingtx Champion Author San Antonio Posts:1,480 Points:973,505 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:51:51 AM Ignore cruisingtx Report Abuse Great news!
PithyOpiner Champion Author Stockton Posts:12,332 Points:1,173,800 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:48:49 AM Ignore PithyOpiner Report Abuse neemund, I'd like to see you read with the light of one of those garden variety solar lights.
neemund Champion Author Seattle Posts:4,162 Points:1,085,045 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:46:12 AM Ignore neemund Report Abuse They sometimes sell those solar garden lights at the local dollar store. A few of those could replace the need for a kerosene lamp at night.
Jeannemarie Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:26,922 Points:1,944,585 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:41:56 AM Ignore Jeannemarie Report Abuse 6 - 12 volt lamps is a whole LOT more than the one candle they had. Think about it that way. Comprof - that is a start. If everyone who could afford the $200 did that just imagine the lights in the darkness!!
gassy4u Champion Author Mobile Posts:2,508 Points:1,061,430 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:37:36 AM Ignore gassy4u Report Abuse Yeh,,,,, we know, it's Bush's fault!
comprof Champion Author Houston Posts:4,387 Points:897,355 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:36:40 AM Ignore comprof Report Abuse My mailman took a solar collector to some missionaries he supports in Africa which cost less than $200 but it only runs six 12 volt lamps.
runout9 Champion Author New Jersey Posts:3,154 Points:960,650 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:35:30 AM Ignore runout9 Report Abuse Who's going to pay for the solar panals? A grandios idea & plan, but who is going to be stuck with the bill?
BobD2009 Champion Author Long Island Posts:4,592 Points:776,785 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:34:21 AM Ignore BobD2009 Report Abuse Strange story.
grouch311 Champion Author Illinois Posts:6,021 Points:1,156,215 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:33:17 AM Ignore grouch311 Report Abuse "A full solar home system typically costs between $250 and $630, and a solar lamp between $25 and $40." try to get that price here
HA4CNN Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,473 Points:1,101,770 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:17:59 AM Ignore HA4CNN Report Abuse I don't think the average African can afford solar panels but the ones that can will improve there life.
roadrunnerMO Champion Author Kansas Posts:5,996 Points:1,234,235 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:16:19 AM Ignore roadrunnerMO Report Abuse Good idea.
rosyLI Champion Author Long Island Posts:3,276 Points:615,480 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:12:51 AM Ignore rosyLI Report Abuse Not believeable.
REKEY Champion Author South Carolina Posts:6,216 Points:1,235,530 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:11:18 AM Ignore REKEY Report Abuse They could be great until the rebels tear it up.
250FORD Champion Author Minnesota Posts:8,265 Points:1,303,335 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:10:20 AM Ignore 250FORD Report Abuse This is good and bad all at the same time but I will not give the bad here.
96sc1 Champion Author El Paso Posts:7,440 Points:1,144,080 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:09:03 AM Ignore 96sc1 Report Abuse Electricity will likely destroy their lives
caddilac Champion Author Ontario Posts:13,794 Points:1,674,530 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:08:30 AM Ignore caddilac Report Abuse May as well make use of the free sunlight they get.
Saturn93 Champion Author Salt Lake City Posts:6,577 Points:1,489,925 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:07:19 AM Ignore Saturn93 Report Abuse Let the sunshine in...
faulkc05 All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:562 Points:193,540 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:01:14 AM Ignore faulkc05 Report Abuse Those of us that have the luxury of electricity can not even imagine being without it. We take for granted all of the things that we have.
Kamakani Champion Author Hawaii Posts:2,389 Points:955,115 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 1:00:20 AM Ignore Kamakani Report Abuse Now they can charge the golf carts.
jimgraham Champion Author Akron Posts:7,974 Points:1,515,180 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:59:37 AM Ignore jimgraham Report Abuse Something else that the fight to reduce oil dependency is doing that is good for everyone.
danreino Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:6,292 Points:1,146,090 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:57:51 AM Ignore danreino Report Abuse Makes perfect sense.
pricechecker08 Champion Author Ohio Posts:5,535 Points:1,238,900 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:56:36 AM Ignore pricechecker08 Report Abuse Good for them.
AKmailman Champion Author Alaska Posts:3,303 Points:1,100,570 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:52:33 AM Ignore AKmailman Report Abuse more solar BS - folks this is a website where we post articles related to gas prices and automobiles - not sunpower
DosEquis26 Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,769 Points:1,543,640 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:51:12 AM Ignore DosEquis26 Report Abuse at least they don't have electric bills.
Sody33 Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:15,482 Points:1,814,560 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:45:25 AM Ignore Sody33 Report Abuse You know not everyone does whatever they do for money. There are a whole lot of people who do it for the love of their fellow man. Learn that and you will have a happier life, Quick68.
Quick68 Champion Author Columbus Posts:4,849 Points:759,875 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:43:05 AM Ignore Quick68 Report Abuse Must be money in it for someone or they would not be going to Africa.
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,673 Points:1,615,910 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:41:22 AM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse Maybe the Lion will get some sleep...
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:3,659 Points:816,925 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:41:17 AM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Africa is an excellent place for solar power. Too bad politics and corruption ruin it for those that need it.
scrounger Champion Author Vancouver Posts:9,635 Points:2,649,870 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:39:30 AM Ignore scrounger Report Abuse using LED's and with minimal battery storage that power can make a lot of difference for "rural" Africa
Toppers Champion Author Atlanta Posts:6,673 Points:2,007,975 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:39:09 AM Ignore Toppers Report Abuse Makes sense over there...
WVUtailgater Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:6,097 Points:1,233,550 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:38:34 AM Ignore WVUtailgater Report Abuse solar works where ever there is plenty of sun.
uptherefiners Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,323 Points:684,095 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:37:48 AM Ignore uptherefiners Report Abuse TOO FUNNY HUMBLEPIE LMAO
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:13,677 Points:1,905,445 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:34:52 AM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse i think i would prefer indoor plumbing !!!!!!!!!! and perhaps sir thomas crappers invention.
10k Champion Author North Carolina Posts:16,616 Points:1,789,820 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:32:16 AM Ignore 10k Report Abuse solar and wind..can't say it enuff..
MidNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:4,640 Points:740,775 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:30:51 AM Ignore MidNJ Report Abuse Granit, I still do not know the answer to your question; "How many mud huts does it take to support a solar panel?" Please post your answer. Thanks
IamWhoIam Champion Author San Francisco Posts:13,960 Points:1,459,700 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:30:44 AM Ignore IamWhoIam Report Abuse Sounds good for the whole world.
Bus561 Champion Author Lexington Posts:14,081 Points:2,754,080 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Aug 29, 2010 12:30:26 AM Ignore Bus561 Report Abuse This should have been in practice long ago even in the USA.