Peru Provides Free Solar Power By Giving 2 Million Of Its Poorest Residents Solar Panels

Presently, the world is in the midst of what many have called an energy crisis. The scenario painted for this situation is that fossil fuels will eventually run out. Taking into account the majority of our necessities rely on the usage of fossil fuels (automobiles, home electricity, etc.), this is truly debilitating. As a result, the push for alternative power is now on the forefront. The Inquisitr recently reported on a major leap in wind energy in which a French start-up created a “wind tree,” a device with over one hundred miniature windmills that looks like a tree.

However, some countries need to utilize green energy not for an alternative, but on necessity. One such country is Peru. Their people are in dire need of electricity that the country is giving 2 million of its poorest residents electricity for free with solar panels.

The plan to provide free electricity actually started back in July of 2013. Originally reported by both Inhabitat and Planetsave, an initiative known as “The National Photovoltaic Household Electrification Program” was initiated. At the time, only 66 percent of Peru’s 24 million people had access to electricity as stated by the country’s Energy and Mining Minister, Jorge Merino. Jorge also said the plan is to provide up to 95 percent of their population with electricity and that the poorest residents will get power first.

“This program is aimed at the poorest people, those who lack access to electric lighting and still use oil lamps, spending their own resources to pay for fuels that harm their health.”

The first phase installed 1,601 solar panels in the Contumaza province. That is enough to power 126 communities throughout Cupisnique, San Benito, Chilete, Tantarica, Yonan, San Luis, and Contai. The second phase involved 12,500 PV systems to provide 500,000 households — about 2 million people — with free electricity. The overall cost was $200 million.

The reason why this project is suddenly getting attention again is because it is expected to be completed either this year or next. In a follow-up report by Minds, the 500,000 households that received 12,500 PV systems have been cared and any remaining PV systems will be auctioned off. However, it is unclear if the initiative truly reached 95 percent of its people. Nevertheless, the results of The National Photovoltaic Household Electrification Program will truly be tested as the country progresses towards 2050, a year in which the population is estimated to be 42 million.

Now that you read the details on Peru’s initiative to provide free electricity to their people, what are your views? Do you think the United States should incorporate such a plan for Americans?

[Image via Inhabitat]