I had just been writing an article on Do It Yourself Solar when Ivan hit, and I postponed writing it as more information and thoughs came in. It's good by itself, but the context lends itself to a more thoughtful article.
In the wake of the devastation of Grenada by Hurricane Ivan, on an email related to ICT in the Caribbean, someone asked how to recharge a cell phone battery when there is no alternating current (AC). The problem was that there was no AC in Grenada, and someone with a cell phone was staying in communication with friends and family - and passing along information to the list. Of course, 'utter devastation' doesn't take too long to say - but there are other things that must be spoken of. What's needed, and so on.
The immediate answer by someone was to buy a gadget that is a hand crank DC generator for that purpose. Of course, this would be rather difficult to get to Grenada - especially considering that websites throughout the world don't seem to like the Caribbean for some reason - which is another problem. Since I am familiar with Solar Energy (it's a hobby, and my father's present business), I realized that a small panel would do the trick, if only people would stay off the cell phone long enough to charge. That was unlikely, but I pointed out that there's a ground and a DC power source on most phones, and applying DC there would do the same thing. Even a car could be used. In fact, especially a car could be used.
But what if they had solar panels? Certainly, they would be able to use those - solar energy is quite simple to use, though it isn't as entrenched in our cultures as 'sticking the wire into the outlet'. We here at WorldChanging.com are well aware of the uses of such renewable energy - as are most readers. Perhaps the 'culture of AC' has something to do with the results of the nasty War of the Currents - but there's another more important factor. Cost.
While the prices of solar panels have remained fairly constant over the years - relatively speaking they have become cheaper - they are still fairly expensive in areas where they could probably be the most useful - like genetically modified crops. Why is this? Is it because of the materials? No, the cost of materials is relatively the same around the world. The cost of manufacture is the culprit. And this is why Do It Yourself Solar is so interesting.
Get the materials. Build it yourself. From Solar Panels to learning how to attach battery operated equipment to the panels, to even recharging mobile phones. And this last one is what started the very article.
There's even a business opportunity in this, allowing either an enterprise or a non-profit organization the ability to build these panels at a very cheap rate. On the site, they claim lower than the cost of dry cell batteries, which is an impressive claim. Considering the devastation to Grenada's nutmeg crop - which will take 9 years to replace. Perhaps such an industry in Grenada would help? Maybe it is useful to consider, and maybe it will find the right ears. And in many developing nations, the same could be useful as well. Employing people who create useful items for their own country.
And at this time, it almost sounds like an infomercial. It would be except for one thing - Biodesign is a Not-For-Profit Organization - and it's seen successes in some African countries. And the information itself is readily available in the Wikipedia, and other places.
A quick look over the literature I had emailed to me was very interesting. A 6 Volt, 1 Watt solar panel costs about £1; Nickel Cadmium battery packs come at about £2 each. All you need is thin plywood for backing, and the labor to put it together.
While they are careful to explain that these systems are not the same as the more complex solar systems - there are two things to be noted here. The labor is local, and the knowledge becomes localized. This means that the knowledge and creativity of the people within the region can create solutions which transform their world into a place more hospitable for themselves. I imagine solar powered irrigation with aquarium pumps would be one such use, dosing water to plants as needed. Portable computing and telecommunications equipment becomes less expensive to operate.
It could certainly be useful for charging mobile phones - but what about emergency systems within a developing country, such as lighting in shelters? How much energy could be stored before a hurricane using solar electricity? What about Amateur Radio Operators who report after natural disasters? Suddenly, this all becomes attainable by developing nations.
Maybe this will catch on - and be useful to help reconstruction after future disasters around the world. And maybe next time, I won't be on an email list wondering why people don't have the capacity to charge their mobile phones after a natural disaster has destroyed or rendered their infrastructure ineffective.
