The general goal of this project is to encourage people in the Arab world to be aware of, experiment with, and use solar energy in their daily lives. The Arab world lies on the global sun-belt and is potentially the most productive region for solar energy usage. This resource, however, is largely untapped.
Specifically, this project involves three phases:
- Awareness sessions and activities on renewable energy, for both younger and older age groups, will be carried out with the aim of spreading an understanding of the possible ways that renewable energy can be used for daily activities.
- A select number of people will be trained in the construction, installation and maintenance of solar powered water heaters.
- A small business will be formed, employing those trained in phase two of the project, for the purpose of constructing solar powered water heaters, out of local and cheap materials, for sale in the local community.
This project will be carried out in four underprivileged communities in Egypt. The four communities, selected with the aim of demonstrating the potential of solar energy technology use in all of the different habitats of the Arab world, will include urban, rural, desert and coastal locations. The urban community has already been selected - the historic Darb al-Ahmar in the heart of Cairo.
The proposal for this project has received substantial funding from the United Nations Development Program. Those involved in the session would be a great asset to the success of the project and would have the opportunity to shape the plan of action - ranging from the format and content of the awareness sessions or the design of the solar powered water heater to the logistics of the foundation of the businesses. Furthermore, those who are based in Cairo will have the opportunity to be involved in the implementation of the project.
Please join to help make this project a reality!
