Around 1.3 billion people around the world do not have access to electricity. They rely on traditional biomass sources like wood, charcoal or dung, and fossil fuels like oil and kerosene for their daily energy needs. This makes their lives much harder, as they cannot afford to run refrigerators, electric stoves, water heaters, televisions, mobile phones, or other appliances that improve their living standards. Lacking access to electricity also limits their ability to engage in education, business, healthcare, and political activities.
Poverty and social injustice are closely intertwined with energy access, as they reinforce each other and perpetuate inequalities. Poor people are often trapped in energy poverty, as they cannot afford the upfront cost of energy infrastructure or the operating expenses of fuel-based systems. They also face structural barriers like land tenure, gender discrimination, ethnic prejudice, or political repression that prevent them from accessing energy services that are available to others. This means that they have to spend more time and money on energy-related activities, like collecting firewood, cleaning lamps, or charging batteries, which leaves them less time and money for other activities, like working, studying, or caring for their families.
Solar Energy as a Solution
Solar energy has great potential to address poverty and social injustice, as it offers several benefits that suit the needs and preferences of poor people:
Affordability: Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems have become much cheaper in the last decade, as the cost of solar panels, batteries, inverters, and cables has decreased due to technological progress, economies of scale, and competition. The levelized cost of solar PV electricity has fallen to as low as 2-5 US cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh) in some countries, which is lower than or equal to the cost of grid electricity or diesel generators. This makes solar energy accessible to more people, especially those in rural or remote areas who are not connected to the grid or are served by unreliable and expensive mini-grids. Moreover, some governments and donors provide subsidies, grants, or loans to help poor people purchase or lease solar PV systems, which can reduce the upfront cost and increase affordability further.
Reliability: Solar energy is a reliable source of electricity, as it converts sunlight into electricity directly, without depending on external inputs like fuels, water, or maintenance. This means that solar PV systems can provide power for longer hours and with less downtime than fuel-based systems, which are subject to interruptions due to fuel shortages, price hikes, transport delays, or technical failures. Solar PV systems also require less maintenance than other energy systems, as they have no moving parts that can wear out or break down, and they only need occasional cleaning or inspection to ensure optimal performance. This reduces the time and money spent on repairs, replacements, or fuel procurement, which can improve the livelihoods and well-being of poor people.
Scalability: Solar energy is a scalable solution, as it can be customized to meet different energy needs and consumption patterns. Solar PV systems can range from small portable lights or radios to large micro-grids that serve entire communities or villages. Solar PV systems can also be combined with other energy sources or storage options, like wind turbines, hydro power, diesel generators, or batteries, to enhance their flexibility and reliability. This means that solar energy can adapt to different social, economic, and environmental contexts, and can empower poor people to choose the energy mix that suits their preferences and constraints.
Environmental sustainability: Solar energy is an environmentally sustainable source of electricity, as it emits no greenhouse gases or pollutants that contribute to climate change, air pollution, or health hazards. Solar PV systems also have a small footprint and require little land or water resources, which reduces their impact on ecosystems and biodiversity. This means that solar energy can contribute to the global efforts to mitigate and adapt to the environmental challenges and risks, while also meeting the energy needs and rights of poor people.
Social empowerment: Solar energy can empower poor people to exercise their social rights and participate in their communities and societies. Solar PV systems enable poor people to access information, communication, and education services that are essential for their personal growth, political awareness, and civic engagement. Solar PV systems can also enhance their livelihoods and income-generation activities, as they provide power for productive uses like irrigation, refrigeration, processing, or cooking. This means that solar energy can help poor people to break the cycle of poverty and exclusion, and to find new opportunities for social and economic advancement.
Conclusion
Solar energy has great potential to address poverty and social injustice, as it offers several advantages that can improve the quality of life and rights of poor people. Solar energy can increase affordability, reliability, scalability, environmental sustainability, and social empowerment, while also reducing the energy poverty and inequality that perpetuate poverty and social injustice. Solar energy requires political commitment, regulatory support, financial investment, and technical know-how to fulfill its potential, but the benefits are worth the effort. Solar energy can help the world to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ending poverty and hunger, improving health and education, promoting gender equality and social justice, and protecting the environment and climate. Solar energy can light up the lives of poor people, and illuminate their future.