How can Solar Energy Help Rural Africa Make Significant Progress

Solar energy is one of the cleanest and the most efficient forms of energy, available on the face of the other. It is harvested and used to power houses, roads, factories, schools and even vehicles in many parts of the world. It has diverse applications along with being cost-effective and is thus perfect for electrifying the rural areas of Africa. Almost 600 million people in Africa face persistent energy access deficit. People in rural Africa are forced to go without power or alternatively use kerosene, which is an expensive and dangerous fuel that pollutes the air while creating fire hazards.

The use of solar energy in rural parts of Africa promises some really great benefits. Let’s have a look at them!

1. Limitless Use: Owing to its strategic position on the equator, solar energy is abundantly available in Africa. Unlike fossil fuels, it is not going to get depleted. The only challenge is to convert solar energy into electricity using cost-efficient methods and tools. Financial help and grants for solar energy programs in Africa can help the rural areas progress by pumping clean water, electrification of houses, schools, hospitals and much more. Electrification gives way to enhancing connectivity of these areas with the outside world, which further ensures their development.

2. Pure and Clean Energy: Solar energy doesn’t emit Carbon or any other harmful emissions. It is environment-friendly. By harvesting the sun’s power, Africa can make healthy progress, i.e. while retaining its environmental benefits.

3. Cost-Efficient: The most important benefit of using solar energy for advancement in rural areas of Africa is that it is quite cost-effective. The major cost involved is in setting up the solar panels, after which neither the operational cost nor the maintenance cost is high. The return on investment is also pretty good. A common notion is that when the weather is bad or during the night, solar energy powered set-ups become useless but it isn’t true. Efficient electricity storage units help in providing power even when there is no sunlight.

People in Africa can get a clean, green and cheap form of electricity with solar energy. With this, children can get proper electricity to study, refrigerators can be powered to store food and medicines and they can connect with the outside world in a better manner. Therefore, it is important to provide grants for solar energy programs in Africa by people and organizations who are in a position to do so.