Energy access can be a major source of economic hardship for millions around the world, impacting everything from job creation to health care provision.
Solar panels are a sustainable, renewable source that could help address these issues. Furthermore, it’s an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint.
1. Energy Access with Solar Panels
Access to energy is fundamental for achieving many development objectives, such as education, income generation, health care services and innovation in the economy. Unfortunately, an extensive portion of the world population still lacks modern energy access (SDG 7), with Sub-Saharan Africa hosting the highest number of people without electricity worldwide.
Households that meet the definition of ‘energy access’ must possess an infrastructure (electricity or stand-alone renewable systems), appliances and fuels that offer at least the minimum bundle of energy services necessary for a decent life (see FAQ 1.3).
At its most basic, access to energy means having access to at least basic levels of electricity and safe cooking technologies. It also includes other modern energy services like those that power health clinics and schools, or provide transport between communities.
2. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Energy poverty is a global issue that affects hundreds of millions of people around the world. Improving access to energy in developing countries can have significant effects on healthcare, education, communication and agriculture sectors.
Combatting energy poverty is a global initiative. Examples include solar canoes in Ecuador that allow people to commute without polluting the local river and solar-powered medical technology in Cambodia.
Reduced carbon footprints offer immense environmental and social advantages that cannot be overstated. By decreasing your footprint, you’re helping ensure humanity has a chance to fight climate change and other pressing environmental problems facing our planet today.
A carbon footprint is an indicator of how much greenhouse gas emissions a person or company produces. It includes both direct and indirect emissions such as methane, nitrous oxide, and carbon dioxide.
3. Job Creation
The United Nations has adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals, such as “Goal 1: No Poverty” and “Goal 7: Clean and Affordable Energy for All,” which all depend heavily on access to modern energy sources.
Solar power can bring affordable electricity to rural and remote areas, helping those living in poverty or displaced communities survive – which is essential for economic development and job creation.
Furthermore, solar panels can be recycled and reused, helping reduce landfill waste as well as the need for new mining operations to produce raw materials.
Unfortunately, the current solar industry lacks the capacity to recycle its panels once they no longer generate income. Therefore, in order to meet this goal, substantial investments must be made in infrastructure that can handle the inevitable surge of waste that is sure to come along with it.
4. Local Economy
Solar energy can also have a beneficial effect on the local economy. It encourages small business development, creates employment opportunities and helps reduce pollution from power plants.
Engaging local economies can improve people’s quality of life and combat poverty. It also fosters a stronger sense of community while giving individuals more economic power over their futures.
Solar technology is becoming more efficient, which has an advantageous effect on the environment. It helps to reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gas emissions, enhance air quality, and conserve water used in power production.
Solar panels not only save the environment, but they can also combat energy poverty around the world. Electricity costs can often be a major barrier to energy access in rural areas – particularly those in developing nations – by making electricity affordable.