Solar energy brings power to Rural Africa.

The light from a solar-powered bulb is also between 10 and 20 times brighter than from a kerosene lamp. Among those bringing solar power to the world's poor is Rural Energy Foundation, a Dutch non-profit organization. It has now helped 450,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa gain access to low-cost solar power. Rural Energy Foundation runs the SolarNow program, training independent retailers and technicians in nine countries to sell low-cost solar gadgets or home systems to people without electricity. Last month, the organization was one of the international winners of the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy. Read more…