Solar Energy ArticlesSolar Panels – Will They be Cheap Power Source for Africa ? The situation in Africa, with respect to the energy sources is horrendous. It is quite of a routine for kerosene lamps and sore eyes to go in sync for education purposes for African children. However, with the evolution of the technology behind the solar panels, the entire above described scenario has changed African infrastructure. In this article, we are going to shed light on the same. The African continent is a major source of land mass where sunlight is available in abundance throughout the year. Hence the African countries can avail themselves of the solar panels and thus switch to the clean and green source of energy. This will enable them to light up the remote and isolated homes which were once cursed only with darkness luring it. Hence there is a quite a hope in order to link their national electricity grid and thus growth and development will come in their way. A column in the Africa Renewal made available, the feedback from a school teacher in the country of Zimbabwe in Africa. Mrs. Hombre expressed her concern over how the situation was before the solar panel projects popping up in Africa and how is it now. She was thankful for the fact that now she does not have to hurry up and check all the students’ assignment before the dusk sets in. Solar panels have now made her able to delay her work till later in the night, and hence it is possible for her to spend some time with her kids before they go to bed. The African governments have taken up the possible challenges of electrifying the rural areas of the constituent countries. These challenges seem unfeasible due to their uniqueness. The homes in the African countries are remotely scattered and to power them with the electricity grid that is run with solar panels is no way cost effective unlike the urban areas. Solar energy is a free resource that can be harnessed into the family homes in the African countries for lighting their homes and cooking food, this is the idea of New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD). The countries of the African continent as a whole must boost the utilization of the stand alone energy resources like the sun, wind and hydroelectricity, this long term goal of NEPAD to fill in the gap for economic development and social growth. If we exclude the countries of South Africa and Egypt, it is very well known fact that not even 20% of other African countries (and in some cases not even 5%) have access to basic amenities like electricity supply. The majority of the Africans live in rural areas wherein the above stated figures are not even 2%. African government is striving hard to pull up these figures to a level of 35% which still seems a distant dream. The target however, seems quite feasible. Africa is rich in world's resources and it is an irony that it is still so much underdeveloped. NEPAD has a vision to drive these economic factors and bring in social welfare betterment of these countries. Innovative financing schemes are proposed for the same. Costs estimated for this project reveal that African homes would not cost more than $500-1000 for availing lighting for up to 6 homes and power a black and white television system. This is possible if the government of African countries poses a relaxation to high import duties of the solar panels. There shall also be a boost to the local businesses like local maize-grinding shops. The businesses can meet the demands of their local people by being able to work well till the onset of the night. There is no major marketing required to convince people to switch to the economical solar panels. "Solar will reach wherever you are!" reads an advertising signboard. Related articles
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