Solar Power’s Role in Rural India

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Mention solar panels and you might think of people in richer countries installing them, so they can reduce their carbon footprint.

But there are good reasons for installing solar technology which are not to do with climate change.

For example, in those places where there are no lights in the dark, and no hot water, such as in many parts of the countryside in India, where the electricity grid does not reach.

Selco is a social enterprise which has provided solar-powered lighting and water heating for half a million people in the states of Karnataka and Gujarat since it began in 1995.

It provides lighting for businesses too and even rents solar lights to street hawkers.

Anand Narayan who started as one of Selco’s customers, but now works for the company, talked to Business Daily’s Lesley Curwen.

Source: BBC World Service (link opens in a new window)