Chasing the Sun: Solar Adventures Around the World PDF
Preview Chasing the Sun: Solar Adventures Around the World
Advance Praise for Chasing the Sun You,too,can help save the world.Read this book! — Thom Hartmann,author ofThe Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight Neville Williams did not invent solar cells,but he has tirelessly promoted them. Iftwo billion people in developing countries one day get electricity,it will be because ofthe groundwork he has laid.Chasing the Sun engagingly chronicles the author’s enduring effort to build a solar world. — Lester R.Brown,president,Earth Policy Institute Chasing the Sunis a fascinating account ofthe author’s personal odyssey to promote solar energy in the developing world.Reading this book,I was reminded ofwhat my good friend,the late Buckminster Fuller once said — “There is no shortage ofenergy on this planet;but there is a serious shortage ofintelligence!”. Neville Williams shows how intelligent,local solutions can be found to meet energy needs ofcommunities across Asia and Africa.This should be an eye-opener for donors and policy-makers alike. — Sir Arthur C.Clarke,inventor ofthe communications satellite Chasing the Sunis a maddeningly frustrating and extremely inspiring diary ofthe 15-year effort by Neville Williams and his colleagues to provide solar energy to rural areas ofthe developing world.The book chronicles the mindless obstructionism ofthe development establishment,misguided competition from a multinational oil giant and the reflexive skepticism ofconventional investment bankers.But the saving grace ofthis meticulously detailed odyssey is the thrilling enthusiasm ofpoor farmers and their families in south Asia whose lives have been forever transformed by the gift oflow-cost and unlimited energy. — Ross Gelbspan,author,The Heat Is Onand Boiling Point Philip Jones Griffiths Philip Jones Griffiths NEW SOCIETY PUBLISHERS Cataloging in Publication Data: A catalog record for this publication is available from the National Library of Canada. Copyright © 2005 by Neville Williams. All rights reserved. All interior photographs courtesy ofSolar Electric Light Fund unless otherwise credited. Cover design by Diane McIntosh.Cover photo Joseph Sohm. Printed in Canada.First printing September 2005. Paperback ISBN:0-86571-537-8 Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part of Chasing the Sun should be addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below. To order directly from the publishers, please call toll-free (North America) 1-800-567-6772,or order online at www.newsociety.com Any other inquiries can be directed by mail to: New Society Publishers P.O.Box 189,Gabriola Island,BC V0R 1X0,Canada 1-800-567-6772 New Society Publishers’mission is to publish books that contribute in fundamen- tal ways to building an ecologically sustainable and just society,and to do so with the least possible impact on the environment,in a manner that models this vision. We are committed to doing this not just through education,but through action.We are acting on our commitment to the world’s remaining ancient forests by phasing out our paper supply from ancient forests worldwide.This book is one step toward ending global deforestation and climate change.It is printed on acid-free paper that is 100% old growth forest-free (100% post-consumer recycled),processed chlorine free,and printed with vegetable-based,low-VOC inks.For further information,or to browse our full list of books and purchase securely, visit our website at: www.newsociety.com NEW SOCIETY PUBLISHERS www.newsociety.com To Patricia, without whom none of this would have been possible. Contents Acknowledgments..............................................................................................XIII Introduction............................................................................................................1 CHAPTERI:Solar Revolution?.............................................................................5 CHAPTERII:A World of Darkness...................................................................27 CHAPTERIII:Illuminating Adventures............................................................53 CHAPTERIV:Technology Time-Out...............................................................79 CHAPTERV:Born at Pocantico Hills.............................................................101 CHAPTERVI:Sacred Sun at Your Service.....................................................127 CHAPTERVII:Sunshine and Serendipity......................................................167 CHAPTERVIII:War Is Over IfYou Want It..................................................195 CHAPTERIX:Cirque du Soleil........................................................................223 CHAPTERX:The Solar Age for You and Me................................................261 Glossary ofAcronyms and Abbreviations.....................................................287 Bibliography........................................................................................................289 Index....................................................................................................................293 About the Author..............................................................................................303
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