Girl power! India’s ‘solar gal pals’ light up rural homes

(Eco Business, 22 Nov 2018) In sunny Rajasthan, women solar promoters fan out to persuade families of the benefits of renewable energy.

Buffalo trampled over it? Rain drenched it? Child dropped it? No problem! This solar flashlight can endure it all, said Bassi in a pitch to her neighbours in rural India to convince them to power their homes with clean energy instead of polluting fuels.

Bassi is one of 2,500 “Solar Sahelis”, or solar women friends, who fan out to different villages and persuade families to use solar energy in the western desert state of Rajasthan, which sees about 300 days of sunshine every year.

With unreliable electricity and hours-long power cuts every day, many rural families in Rajasthan are often forced to rely on candles, kerosene oil lanterns or burning wood, which emit soot and noxious fumes.

They not only can lead to premature death due to disease, but can also cause fire accidents and burn injuries.

That is why solar is the way to go, 26-year-old Bassi, who goes by one name, told the Thomson Reuters Foundation in her village of Moonpur, about 130 km (80 miles) from state capital Jaipur, where buffalos and cows wander the dusty streets.

“They just makes more sense—affordable, long-lasting, durable and safe,” said Bassi, who has sold up to 32 solar flashlights since becoming a Solar Saheli last year.

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Eco Business, 22 Nov 2018: Girl power! India’s ‘solar gal pals’ light up rural homes