Haiti: Expanding access to electricity, without the grid
The President of Haiti, Michel Martelly, has recently unveiled a plan to bring electricity to residents of rural Haiti. He hopes within two years to have twice the number of residents who currently have a power source. Rather than try and expand an unreliable grid network largely driven by fossil fuels, the idea is to introduce solar energy through small solar kits that residents will be able to privately purchase. Although the kits, priced from $250 to $350, would ordinarily not be affordable to many, a $40 million energy package that will offer loans so that the kits will be widely accessible, in addition to investing in energy related infrastructural improvements. The solar kits should allow for the charging of cell phones and computers, promoting connectivity for rural residents.
Ricky Ghoshroy
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not only is this great news for the residents but this is also great for the environment.
Its a great step towards alternative energy source. Rich countries and organizations should assist such projects which not only save the environment but initiates the begining to an end of use of fossil fuels.