Solar villages for social development and poverty reduction

This presentation describes how solar power could assist in the social and economic development of developing and developed countries, using various applications at different power levels. The largest impact in developing countries, in the short-term will come from drip irrigation and community water pumping systems, combined with "solar village" concepts introduced recently for social development. Solar energy can be used as the first wave of actions to improve agriculture and enhance food production. In the second wave of actions, small industries could be established to benefit from an enhanced food production process. This will lead to an establishment of a healthy export business creating jobs and wealth for economic development. Other large scale solar power applications are also presented and relevant recommendations are made in order for developing countries to move towards energy independent and fully developed countries establishing a low-carbon economy in the future.