The study of solar energy involves a diverse array of disciplines outside of physics and chemistry.  Also included are the study of economics and community development.  Solar energy is not being implemented at the rate that it could or should be in the United States for reasons mainly due to efficiency and cost.  Already we are dependent on environmentally degrading energy sources owned and operated by corporate conglomerates.  Changing the way we use energy would be changing the way multinationals do business, and it may be that our non-renewable resources such as coal and natural gas must be depleted till we look for alternative sources such as solar.  Currently, developing nations use of renewable energy such as solar far outweighs developed nations such as the United States, Europe and Japan.  The implementation that is happening in these countries is a model for sustainable energy development elsewhere.  This paper will look into activity in other countries and provide links to web sites and organizations committed to the implementation, application and information of solar energy and indigenous culture and will also answer the following questions:
 

• Why is solar energy being used by indigenous cultures?
• Where are solar energy projects being implemented the most?
• Where can I find more information about this subject?

Why is solar energy being used by indigenous cultures?

There are many reasonable answers for this.  One could be that we are in trouble of running out of fossil fuel and environmentalists will eventually have their way with dams.  Another could be that there is a market in solar energy.  Governments are beginning to get involved and policies in these countries are shaping that encourage use of solar energy.

Indigenous cultures are usually off of the grid, meaning they have no access to electricity.  For fuel, many of these cultures use firewood or kerosene.  Investors of traditional energy sources aren't typically interested in these rural communities because of economic inopportunity. Providing traditional sources of electricity for these traditional communities is terribly expensive and environmentally harmful.  Although these areas are being electrified decades after many places in the world, this form of electricity is wise because it is beginning from a source of renewable energy-the sun.  The use of solar as a form of energy embellishes the sustainable form of life these people have been leading while also advancing them in technology toward an increased standard in living.  However, one must remember that in this day and age, no new development program comes without incentive, usually a marketable one.  Solar implementation in developing nations is marketable because it allows these poor places to enter into the global market.  But before we get too critical about globalization, the benefit of this type of development is that is is environmentally sound and involves the people that live in these areas.

Where are solar energy projects being implemented the most?

The answer is-developing nations.  More specifically we find them in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America. One example of the application of solar energy is in this village in Ghana, Africa.  For just under $200,000, this community of 300,000 people will be using solar energy.  Not only will they be solar electrified, but also a solar learning center will be built teaching classes about such things as solar cooking.   The project focuses on concepts of community, environmental responsibility and the teaching of skills for this very poor community to assist in cottage industry development.  It is a model for economic development, one that doesn't focus on the Western form of capitalist development, but hones in on the needs and attributes of the people and the environment.  A big part of the project is solar cooking technology.
This is a picture of a solar cooker designed by the teachers and students of the local school.  In this way, sustainable development is occurring, where the local communities education practices are integrated into their energy system.  The project is the idea of Global Village Concepts, an organization committed to enabling rural communities in developing nations to join into the global market through local industry practices.  This project is cheap and beneficial.  It is teaching villagers skills to empower themselves and their local industry.  It should be practiced in the United States.
 
 

•  The World Bank has a program to install home lighting system in 200,000 homes to Indonesia.
• SELF (Solar Electric Light Fund, Inc.) operates a rural solar enterprise in Karnataka, which provides solar services to rural households, and arrange financing and leasing of solar electri! c system.
• The largest percentage of solar energy in the world is being utilized by developing nations

 The International Solar Energy Society
 Global Village Concepts
Sustainability Links
Towards Sustainability
 Paper-Integrated Renewable Energy Systems
Solar Electric Light Fund