SOLAR GOOD NEWS FROM PAKISTAN

Pakistan is one of those tempestuous places that it is a great relief to hear some good news about these days. Seems like there's another country added to that list every day...

Energy Experts out to solve water pumping challenge in remote areas
August 5, 2007 (Associated Press of Pakistan)

WHO
Pakistan Alternative Energy Board (PAEB); Air Commodore ® Qamar uddin;

WHAT
A solar-powered water pumping system, the Solar Home System (SHS), will bring fresh water to remote Pakistani drought-burdened regions where there is no access to grid power.

Note Sindh in the south, indicated just above Hyderabad. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
Moving from planning to installation presently.

WHERE
- Remote villages, especially in desert areas of Sindh and Balochistan
- 1st implementation: Tharaparkar district of Sindh.

WHY
- Air Commodore ® Qamar uddin is the man in charge of developing the SHS the projects.
- The SHS installations, which include a photovoltaic panel, a storage battery and a controller, are expected to generate more electricity than the water systems require, leaving power for light bulbs, television/radio and home appliances.
- The systems are expected to replace conventional well pumps.
- Connection fees: Rs 300 to Rs 500. A monthly maintenance charge will also be necessary but will be kept affordable.

The fields could grow despite the barrenness of the village thanks to water pumped by solar energy. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Qamar uddin: “Our team has planned to supply electricity in the villages located at least 20 kilometers away from any power supply grid station…In deserts no grid station is available even at distance of 50 kilometers, so our Solar Home System (SHS) project may be fruitful for inhabitants of these areas…”
- Qamar uddin: “Initially PAEB is working on project to provide light in the house at night but the system may be expanded to operate the water pumping machines through electricity…But to implement this scientific hypothesis practically high capacity energy converters and storage infrastructure is required…”