Solar energy

Updated: Fri, 4 May 2018

Asian cities virus-proof public transit with smart shelters, thermal scanners

As cities open up, authorities are using technology to make commuters feel safer in public transit

First poverty, now pandemic threatens access to electricity
Fallout from COVID-19 could derail efforts to meet a global goal to provide power to everyone on the planet by 2030, agencies warn By Megan Rowling | Thu, 28 May 2020
With schools shut by pandemic, solar radios keep Kenyans learning
Solar-powered radios have been distributed to the poorest homes that lack electricity access, with lessons broadcast daily during the COVID-19 crisis - and perhaps beyond By Benson Rioba | Wed, 23 Dec 2020
Indian teen's solar iron smooths a pressing problem: forest loss
Charcoal-filled traditional irons cause air pollution and tree cutting in India - but a 14-year-old's solar innovation could help By Manipadma Jena | Fri, 20 Nov 2020
Solar energy on track to power London rail link by 2022
Social enterprise aims to power some commuter trains with solar energy, with government backing, as Britain aims for net-zero emissions By Lin Taylor | Mon, 23 Nov 2020
Pakistan pushes renewables - but coal expansion continues too
A new policy aims for 30% electricity from renewables by 2030 - but planned coal plant expansion could stand in the way By Rina Saeed Khan | Fri, 7 Aug 2020
Can solar fridges help deliver a COVID-19 vaccine to Africans?
Solar-powered refrigerators are cooling vaccines in places with no grid electricity - but organising a vast cold chain for COVID-19 immunisation will be a huge logistical challenge By Peyton Fleming | Sat, 31 Oct 2020
India's tribal farmers tap solar irrigation to cut migration
Using renewable energy to water crops, poor rice farmers are growing vegetables to feed their families and earn an income By Soumya Sarkar | Mon, 27 Jul 2020
Bangladeshi solar-sharing start-up aims to cut power waste
Technology allows rural solar panel owners to sell excess power to neighbours, improving income and access to clean energy By Naimul Karim | Thu, 2 Jul 2020
Coronavirus crisis risks cutting off clean power lifeline to poor
Off-grid electricity providers fear customers who lose jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be unable to make payments, while broader financing dries up By Megan Rowling | Mon, 20 Apr 2020
Pump or dump? With oil declining, Africa ponders its energy future
As COVID-19 bashes economies and demand for oil plummets, is this a moment to think green - or pump faster? By Laurie Goering | Thu, 2 Jul 2020
Remote island off East Timor turns sunlight, air into water
Innovative scheme uses solar power to suck water out of the air to provide a small community with a renewable supply of drinking water By Michael Taylor | Fri, 13 Dec 2019
Women bring light to remote villages on islands of Zanzibar
Grandmothers and single mothers are among those being trained as community solar engineers, a programme which they say could transform lives in their communities By Nicky Milne | Tue, 21 May 2019
Young Chadians seek to solve blackouts with social businesses
Entrepreneurs in one of the world's least developed countries are setting up businesses to tackle longstanding problems By Nellie Peyton | Wed, 18 Dec 2019
Pandemic spark: Solar energy prescribed for off-grid healthcare
COVID-19 has made clear the need for reliable power in rural health facilities - including to cool an eventual coronavirus vaccine By Megan Rowling | Fri, 3 Jul 2020
In rural Nepal, solar irrigation helps keep families together
As solar-powered pumps bring water closer to home, income from apple-growing is on the rise - and men feel less pressure to migrate in search of work By Aadesh Subedi | Tue, 5 Mar 2019
Malawi storm survivors hope solar power can switch on 'new life'
Development agency Practical Action found solar micro-grids built with storm risks in mind were largely able to withstand Cyclone Idai and could help local people recover faster By Charles Pensulo | Thu, 4 Jul 2019
Cameroon boosts solar energy in push for rural power
Questions remain, however, about whether new systems being installed will be maintained By Elias Ntungwe Ngalame | Mon, 28 Jan 2019
Removable solar panels boost storm readiness in Dominica
As the Caribbean island aims to become fully "climate resilient", a volunteer effort is keeping health centres operating - with clean energy By Laurie Goering | Fri, 13 Dec 2019
Hit by drought and power cuts, Zimbabwe steps up battery storage
Telecommunications towers and other businesses are turning to solar power with battery storage to fight climate-related electricity shortages By Lungelo Ndhlovu | Fri, 15 Nov 2019
Solar tracking bracelets protect nomadic Kenyan mothers, babies
Beaded bracelets with solar-powered GPS enable health workers to monitor pregnant pastoralist women, preventing deaths in childbirth By Munyaradzi Makoni | Thu, 2 May 2019
Renewable power surge in Africa faces a short: not enough workers
With 4.5 million new jobs related to expansion of off-grid renewable energy expected by 2030, worker training efforts are taking off By Geoffrey Kamadi | Wed, 30 Jan 2019
Power-short Zimbabwe removes barriers to solar energy expansion
With climate change hitting hydropower, boosting solar power could help ease blackouts and support growth, the government says By Lungelo Ndhlovu | Wed, 17 Jul 2019
Solar pumps, migrant homes help shield post-COVID world
Building climate resilience and lifting living standards of vulnerable communities can help protect against future shocks By Rina Chandran | Tue, 2 Jun 2020
In land-scarce Southeast Asia, solar panels float on water
No space to put a solar array? Lakes, dams, reservoirs and even the sea can fit the bill - and the costs are falling fast, experts say By Rina Chandran | Fri, 8 Feb 2019

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