Recently the Environmental News Network reported that Bangladesh has installed over 1 million residential solar energy units. The country received a loan from the World Bank in 2009 to assist in the massive campaign for harnessing solar energy across the county. This 1 million home milestone has come 18 months ahead of schedule for Bangladesh! Back in 2002 the country had only 7,000 homes utilizing solar energy.
Bangladesh’s solar revolution will help to provide energy to millions of people, and the country has set even higher future goals: by 2014 they are planning on having 2.5 million homes hooked up to solar energy. These efforts will help bring reliable electricity to the estimate 90 million people (60% of the country’s population) who are currently living without it. Efforts for access to reliable electricity have been shown to be connected with factors of the Human Development Index, and can help the people of Bangladesh maintain a higher standard of living.
Also, as Bangladesh develops new energy infrastructure they are providing a model for other developing nations on how green energy can play a vital role in infrastructure planning. Even across the globe, solar energy is providing opportunities for growth and learning through sharing of technology and integration of solar energy into policies.
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By: Katie Knapp, Intern