Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improving Air Quality
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engine that burns fuel oil or propane. Although this certainly has been a viable
system, it also has a number of drawbacks: It creates an ongoing cost for the
fuel, it is relatively susceptible to breaking down, and, of course, it is a source of
pollution. Now that the price of solar panels has decreased, electricity generated
by solar systems is less expensive and many newly installed systems include
solar- generated electricity. Some off- grid systems now have solar panels,
batteries, and a generator. When the battery storage is low but there is no solar
energy, the generator is started and used to provide electrical power until the
solar production is able to provide the desired amount of power.
Many solar home systems were installed as part of a large Renewable
Energy Development Project in China, supported by the World Bank. The
benefits included increased access to information, reduced use of candles and
kerosene (reducing health and fire risks), increased use of basic appliances,
and increased income for many of those who participated (van Gevelt, 2014).
Van Gevelt (2014) reviews off- grid energy developments in many countries.
Policy actions and regulations have been beneficial in many countries.
These actions are effective when they provide a strong foundation for market
development, which encourages companies to provide services, supplies, and
experienced employees to those who need and want off- grid power. These
policy actions can also help with creating a stable need for education and
training, in order to have qualified workers and customers who understand
their system well enough to properly care for it and use it. In some cases, policies may provide incentives for people to participate in programs, and these
need to be both understood and fairly implemented. Clarity and confidence
in the plan that is being advanced are valuable, as are good standards and
quality control to provide reliable products (IRENA, 2018).
9.2 Small Scale
The electrical grid is present in most cities and in some rural areas, but there
are many parts of the world where there is no electrical grid. Over 100 million
people have some electricity from off- grid systems that have been installed
to serve their needs. Solar- generated electricity with battery storage can be
used in these contexts at a number of scales. Application can range from
mini- grids that provide energy for a household, group of houses, or even a
small community, to one of the simplest developments: A solar lantern.
A solar lantern can be set out in the sun in the daytime to charge the
battery and brought in for use in the evening. Solar lanterns are inexpensive and affordable for many of those who do not have access to the electrical grid (IRENA, 2018). This basic provision of evening lighting, however,
can have transformative effects on people’s safety, productivity, and wellbeing. Crucially, it is an application that does not require extensive training,
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engine that burns fuel oil or propane. Although this certainly has been a viable
system, it also has a number of drawbacks: It creates an ongoing cost for the
fuel, it is relatively susceptible to breaking down, and, of course, it is a source of
pollution. Now that the price of solar panels has decreased, electricity generated
by solar systems is less expensive and many newly installed systems include
solar- generated electricity. Some off- grid systems now have solar panels,
batteries, and a generator. When the battery storage is low but there is no solar
energy, the generator is started and used to provide electrical power until the
solar production is able to provide the desired amount of power.
Many solar home systems were installed as part of a large Renewable
Energy Development Project in China, supported by the World Bank. The
benefits included increased access to information, reduced use of candles and
kerosene (reducing health and fire risks), increased use of basic appliances,
and increased income for many of those who participated (van Gevelt, 2014).
Van Gevelt (2014) reviews off- grid energy developments in many countries.
Policy actions and regulations have been beneficial in many countries.
These actions are effective when they provide a strong foundation for market
development, which encourages companies to provide services, supplies, and
experienced employees to those who need and want off- grid power. These
policy actions can also help with creating a stable need for education and
training, in order to have qualified workers and customers who understand
their system well enough to properly care for it and use it. In some cases, policies may provide incentives for people to participate in programs, and these
need to be both understood and fairly implemented. Clarity and confidence
in the plan that is being advanced are valuable, as are good standards and
quality control to provide reliable products (IRENA, 2018).
9.2 Small Scale
The electrical grid is present in most cities and in some rural areas, but there
are many parts of the world where there is no electrical grid. Over 100 million
people have some electricity from off- grid systems that have been installed
to serve their needs. Solar- generated electricity with battery storage can be
used in these contexts at a number of scales. Application can range from
mini- grids that provide energy for a household, group of houses, or even a
small community, to one of the simplest developments: A solar lantern.
A solar lantern can be set out in the sun in the daytime to charge the
battery and brought in for use in the evening. Solar lanterns are inexpensive and affordable for many of those who do not have access to the electrical grid (IRENA, 2018). This basic provision of evening lighting, however,
can have transformative effects on people’s safety, productivity, and wellbeing. Crucially, it is an application that does not require extensive training,