How Solar Energy Can and Has Improved the Lives of People in Third World Countries
The sun is the biggest source of energy for the earth. The energy from the sun, if harnessed, can bring a huge revolution in the energy sector. It’s free, non-depleting and completely environment-friendly.
While the impacts of solar power are all over the world, they are more predominant in the under-developed nations where the people are poor and cannot afford the energy generation from fossil fuels.
Let’s have a look at some of the areas where solar energy can and has improved the lives of the people living in third world countries.
Solar Power is the most Affordable Source of Energy
Cost is a major consideration when it comes to third world countries. This is especially true in Africa where the per capital income is the lowest.
Solar power provides two key advantages in this regard. One, it is cheap. And second, it’s abundant and non-depleting. These two key characteristics make solar power the best and the most affordable method to get electricity for these poor people.
According to a BNEF report, 1.5 million homes in Africa now use solar power for their homes.
Solar Energy Replaces the Carbon Emitting Fossil Fuels and Help Fight Global Warming
Global warming is the gravest concern for the world today. The areas estimated to be worst affected by climate change are mostly underdeveloped countries and especially the African continent.
The too much reliance on fossil fuel energy sources is one of the factors that greatly threaten the climate. So, instead of fossil fuels, the environment-friendly solar panels can be used to harness energy from the sun.
These solar power plants are free from any sorts of emissions and will help conserve the environment and protect the people of the affected areas.
Solar Energy has Enabled the People to Outright Skip the Power Infrastructure
A conventional power system consists of a generating plant, generally far away from the population. From there, a network of transmission lines links the generating station to the cities where the power is then distributed.
The solar power system, on the other hand, is not limited by the requirements of a suitable location. Solar panels can be installed even at the rooftop of the houses. Thus, eliminates the need for the power infrastructure.
So, just like the developing world skipped the landline system and jumped directly to cellular networks, the same way they can skip the electrical power infrastructure and jump directly to the solar system.
Solar Power Has a Lifesaving Impact on the Health Conditions in the Under-developed Countries
Health conditions in third world countries are really poor. According to UNICEF:
In 2018, 6.2 million children and young adolescents died, mostly from preventable causes. Children under the age of 5 accounted for 5.3 million of these deaths – nearly half of whom were newborn babies.
The lack of electricity is one reason contributing to such stats. Medicines, vaccines, and drugs can’t be stored, and medical equipment can’t be operated. Thus, the results are poor health conditions and child deaths.
But, with the introduction of solar power the health conditions have greatly improved. They can now store medicines, vaccines, etc. and operate the medical equipment which has yielded very positive results.
With the Introduction of Solar Power, the Standard of Education in Third World Countries Has Greatly Improved
Education is one sector where the developing world is lacking by a big margin. Here also, the lack of electricity is causing a big hindrance to the education process.
Children living in hot climates have no access to a cooling system or fans. Also, no computer or the latest technological education is possible without electricity.
But again, with the introduction of solar power, the classrooms are now equipped with fans, lights, etc. This provides a much better environment in the class and significantly improves the overall learning process.
Also, the computer and the latest technological fields are now being taught to the students to keep them updated with the rest of the world.
Water-Purification Plants, Utilizing Solar Energy, are Set up to Provide Clean Drinking Water
One of the major issues faced by the people of under-developed countries is the scarcity of drinking water. In Africa alone, Hundreds of Millions of people do not have access to clean drinking water.
To resolve this issue, several water-purification plants have been set up. These purification plants utilize solar energy via solar panels to filter the dirty water and make it safer to drink.
These purification plants have somewhat addressed the drinking water issue but are still not enough.
Conclusion
Solar energy promises a bright future to the people of under-developed countries. It’s abundant, free, non-depleting and completely environment-friendly.
For the people there, access to even a small amount of electricity can cause lifesaving improvements in health, sanitation, education, communication, etc.
Here the developed world also needs to play its role by shifting to green sources of energy and reducing emissions. Thus, conserving the environment for the good of everyone.