A Nicaraguan man steps up onto a tree root, takes the weight off his artificial limb and carefully climbs up on his donkey. Under one arm he holds a solar panel. It is a long ride through the hills to the next town. There he will install the panel, which may provide light to a hospital or community building, allow vaccines to be refrigerated, give children light to study by, or power radio communication. *

In 1996 a group of third-year electrical engineering students at the National Engineering University in Managua devised a plan to bring electricity to Nicaragua's countryside. They would not achieve this via large generators and high-voltage power lines, but rather by using an abundant Nicaraguan natural resource, the sun. Solar panels could reduce dependence on kerosene and firewood both of which produce dangerous fumes and are in short supply.

These Nicaraguan engineers with the help of various agencies including the Falls Brook Centre in Knowlesville, New Brunswick, and the Canadian International Development Agency, are working to improve life for the 40% of rural people who are without electricity. They are also giving hope to the survivors of landmines.

The Sandinista and Contra revolution from 1979-1989 left behind an estimated 100,000 landmines. This solar energy program is providing rehabilitation and employment to landmine survivors. In a country where finding employment is difficult even for healthy workers, about a dozen handicapped people have been trained to build, install and repair photovoltaic (PV) cells. They in turn train local residents in the maintenance of their solar energy systems.

The cost of the system is only between $400 and $600. The solar cells are damaged or reject cells purchased from an American manufacturer at a bargain price then repaired and tested. The cells are specifically designed to withstand the tropical heat. Local residents pay approximately half the cost over a long-term payment plan. By training local people, the program has provided employment and made energy affordable where conventional electricity is unfeasible.

Considering the success of this program in a developing country, what is the potential for a more affluent country such as Canada?

Population growth in combination with the need for cleaner energy sources is making renewable energy more valuable and appealing. As of the year 2000, 26% of Canadian electricity was produced from the burning of coal, oil and natural gas. The smoke and other waste products from this type of energy production are harmful to our health and environment.

The Solar Energy Society of Canada has found that one of the most viable areas in Canada for solar energy is in the north where there is both grid and remote off-grid electricity demands and a limited supply of viable energy sources. Traditionally, electricity in the north has been provided by diesel engines, which is costly, due to high fuel transportation costs. There is also potential damage to the local environment in the event of a spill. It is in these areas that clean reliable solar energy has great potential.

In the southern regions of Canada, solar energy can be a wise investment in the future. Fossil fuels are a finite resource and as they diminish prices can be expected to rise. The further south you are, the more direct the sun's rays become thus providing a greater amount of solar energy.

Regardless of your location in Canada, the biggest deterrent to solar systems is the initial start-up cost. Prices start at about $3000 for a small system to $18,000 or more to power an entire home. Considering a solar energy system requires little maintenance and lasts 20-30 years it becomes a more affordable alternative. In places such as California, the government does more than talk about conservation-there are financial incentives and tax rebates for residents who produce some or all of their electricity from renewable resources such as solar.

How does solar energy work?
Sunlight can be converted to electricity using photovoltaic cells. These cells are semiconductor devices, usually made of silicon, which contain no liquids, corrosive chemicals or moving parts. They require little maintenance, do not pollute and operate silently. Energy is stored in a battery for later use in direct current (DC) form. This means that to use PV generated electricity DC appliances and lights must be used. In order to use conventional household appliances, the power must be converted to alternating current (AC), which is the form supplied by utilities. An inverter converts DC to AC.

Another form of solar energy is non-electric solar thermal, which is a more affordable and simpler technology. It is generally used to heat air or water. The sun's heat is collected by rows of dark coloured tubes or panels and the air or water is pumped to other parts of the household as required.

The future of renewable energy seems limited only by ingenuity.

Return to: Energy Efficient

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