Is it feasable to install solar power in third world countries ?

Question

I'm in the process of doing some research where i want

to find out the feasability of solar panels in

Pakistan.

There is a big power shortage in Pakistan and WAPDA

(Government electricity department) has no alternative

rather to do loadshedding for

residential and commecial users. Users have no other

option but to adjust to a lifestyle where there is no

power, even when they can afford an alternative,

there is none available.

Pakistan has hot and sunny climatic conditions and

solar energy could a be good alternative for

commercial and

residential users. There is a huge construction boom

in Pakistan nowadays and if feasable solar energy

alternatives are introduced i'm sure lots of users

would be interested. New industries are being setup

with local as well as foreign capital and alternate

energy sources could be suggested.

I wanted to know if there are solutions for residential

users and how can we calculate if it will be feasable.

Answer 1

It is not only feasible but practiced on a small scale in third-world countries, in the form of solar cookers.

Answer 2

People should install them for their own homes rather than relying on the govt.simple

Answer 3

The simplest and most efficient way to use the sun as a source of energy is solar water heating system, which produces hot water for home use, and saves energy.

solar panels that produce electricity are an expensive way to produce electricity at home, and is also very expensive as a power station.

But Pakistan, which is to a large extent a mountain country, could possibly benefit from wind energy, wind turbines to produce electricity, these are cheap and simple power sources, in places that have abundant winds and very rare strong storms. this option can be introduced on small scale and large scale wind turbines.

Answer 4

I've been installing Solar panels. Solar stoves, Solar batch and inline hot water heaters.Solar radiant heating. Solar home heating and AC, along with home made wind gens and other alternative energy items for the last 3 years in the Mexican border towns (Mexico is NOT a 3rd world country) across from my ranch here in Texas.

Myself, my ranch and home are 100% off the grid and self sufficient. Every form of energy we have I built (mostly from recycled things like car brake drums, old alternators etc). The technology is simple and can be introduced to ANY place by ANYONE in ANY climate or conditions.

You can even make the above projects on site in Pakistan with simple parts from the local hardware stores or auto stores or junk yards. For more info check out some guides I wrote / compiled on how to DIY http://www.agua-luna.com/guides.html

Again these projects can be accomplished anywhere by anyone.

Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions,

Dan Martin

Retired Boeing Engineer now living 100% Off-the-Grid with my family, using Alternative Energy & loving every minute.

for more info visit www.agua-luna.com

Answer 5

yes it would because you could save the enviroment if 1 million people dont have to cut down trees for fire and heat and cooking you could save a lot of trees and bush land and animal life as well we have to learn how to live without fracturing mother nature and her balance and we have done a terrible job so  far for lighting, solar lights as fire hazard is reduced  and solar is cheap in the long run and a freind of mine comes from pakistan and sent some solar power lights over as they have no power and i agree we should be using these more around the world to reduce polution and green house gasses and save forrests