The people in living in the impoverished areas in Africa are faced with various challenges. Some of the challenges are associated with the production and use of energy. The use of unsustainable sources of energy has become one of the biggest concerns that has reduced the quality of life in these regions. The use of solar energy can assist in promoting various social and economic aspects of these people (Un-DESA, 2004). The benefits that are associated with adoption of solar power as one of the sustainable energy sources include the enhancement of the economic, health and environmental conservation initiatives.
Using solar power is very essential towards assisting the people in having a cheaper source of power. Solar energy is generated by the solar panels that tap the energy from the sun. The initial costs are incurred in the installation of the facilities that assist in tapping and generating the energy used in the homesteads. This can assist in reducing the expenditure of the people and thus enhance economic development. Most of the poor African countries spend a lot of money in buying and transporting the fossil fuels (Un-DESA, 2004). The use of solar energy can assist them in saving the funds and investing in other projects that can assist the people in eradicating the poverty.
The societies of the African states can also experience some benefits and relief as a result of using solar energy. The nature of the energy generation process does not require a lot of infrastructure. Consequently, the remote areas are likely to benefit from the project. Unlike the fossil fuels that may require the acquisition of sufficient transportation systems, solar energy makes of a natural resource that is abundant in the remote areas. This indicates that the initiative can promote areas that have never acquired sustainable and friendly sources of energy. Most of the remote areas are not connected with the energy grid networks (Un-DESA, 2004). This makes the people in these places to look for unsustainable sources of energy to run their activities.
The use of solar energy is very essential in enhancing environmental conservation (Shahan, 2013). The fossil fuels that are used in most parts of Africa are pollutants to the atmosphere. The major components of the fossil fuels include carbon and hydrogen. When the combustion of these substances occur in the presence of oxygen, they produce carbon IV oxide and water vapor. The carbon IV oxide is one of the elemental components of greenhouse gases. Therefore, the use of solar energy in the African states will assist in reducing the amount of carbon IV oxide in the atmosphere. This will assist in restoring the integrity of the atmosphere.
Most of the sources of energy used in the African states release a lot of fumes. The fumes are detrimental to human health. When these hydrocarbons are burnt inside the houses to produce energy, the people inhale the gases, and this is one of the major causes of respiratory tract infections. Solar energy is very clean as it does not have any emissions that can lead to these infections.
Agriculture is the most common economic activity in most African states. In order to enhance agricultural production, the farmers require sufficient energy. The use of solar energy can assist in providing a sustainable source of energy that can facilitate the agricultural activities. The use of solar power is very effective in agricultural activity because it is very cheap and readily available (Un-DESA, 2004). Consequently, the use of the energy can assist in heightening agricultural activity and improving the economic status of the farmers.
- Un-DESA. Sustainable Energy Consumption in Africa. UN-DESA Report. May 2004. Print
- Shahan, Zachary. Advantages of Solar Power. Clean Energy Publication. October 2013. Web
