Solar Energy in Afghanistan

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Transforming lives with
flexible solar technology

Solar Energy Project for local bazaar in Nawa District
Helmand Province Afghanistan
(DoD Photo by Cpl Jeff Drew)

Afghan War News > General Info > Development > Solar Energy

Afghanistan has an energy problem.  There is not enough electricity generated and most of that goes to the urban areas. The rural areas suffer from a lack of energy.  Although there are ambitious programs to build dams and electrical generation facilities - the bottom line is that many rural areas will not see this energy in their areas for many years - due to extreme poverty and the ongoing insurgency.  Afghanistan needs a source of renewable, sustainable energy.  Solar powered energy offers promise in Afghanistan to meet the needs of the remote village and community areas. What follows on this page are a listing of organizations promoting solar energy, firms developing solar energy programs, companies manufacturing solar panels, and publications and news articles about solar energy in Afghanistan.

Organizations Promoting Solar Energy in Afghanistan

International Solar Energy Center (ISEC).  United Nations.

Global Energy Network Institute (GENI).

Village Projects.  "Shining a Light on Success".

Afghan Clean Energy Project (ACEP).  USAID.

Solar Powered Water Pump in Afghanistan (USAID)

Firms Developing and Providing
Solar Energy Solutions in Afghanistan

Solar Cookers International.  Offering low-tech solar cooking options to Afghanistan.

Listing of Solar Energy Businesses in Afghanistan.  Energy Source Guides.

Afghan Solar Limited.

Sun Ovens.  "The Ultimate Solar Appliance".

Sustainable Energy Services Afghanistan (SESA).

International Resources Group (IRG).  Implementing partner for USAID Afghan Clean Energy Program (ACEP).

Sun Energy Power International.  Afghanistan.

Zularistan Ltd. Solar power firm in Afghanistan.

Information about Solar Energy in Afghanistan

Map of Electricity Transmission Grid Afghanistan.  GENI.

Solar Energy Development Projects in Afghanistan.  eHow.

Afghanistan Resource Maps and Toolkit.  National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

Solar Energy. Afghan Energy Information Center (AEIC).

General Information About Solar Energy

American Solar Energy Society (ASES).

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).

Solar Food Processing.

List of U.S. Solar Energy Firms.  American Solar Energy Society.

Powering Health.  Electrification options for developing country health. USAID.

The Solar Guide.  Information to solar and renewable energy.

Know Your Planet.  Educational self assembly solar kits.

Sunclopedia.  The solar encyclopedia explains the terminology and components used within the solar industry.

How Solar Works.  By Vivint Solar.  A U.S. manufacturer of solar energy products for homes.

Why Solar Power Now?  Quantum Solar Power.

Solar Energy Blogs

Alternative Energy Blog.  Posts on solar and wind power.

SolarEnergyNow.us.  A solar energy blog.

Bob's Solar Project. Bob chronicles his home project.

Solar Energy International Blog.

Bob Freling's Solar Blog.  "Because energy is a human right".

Publications about Solar Power in Afghanistan

March 2008.  "Rural Electrification in Afghanistan: How do we electrify the villages of Afghanistan?".  Peter Meisen, Global Energy Network Institute. (PDF)

GTZ Energy Programme Afghanistan.  GTZ (PDF).

Passive Solar Water Purification System for Remote Areas of Afghanistan.  American Solar Energy Society, 2010.  (PDF)

Firms Offering Low Cost Solar Energy Solutions

Eight19
"Transforming lives with flexible solar technology"
Cambridge, United Kingdom
www.eight19.com

News Articles About Solar Energy in Afghanistan

May 16, 2019. "Cheap solar panels boost the Afghan poppy crop", The Economist.

November 26, 2017. "Afghan Solar Plant Wins Development Bank Backing", Bloomberg News. 20-megawatt solar plant to be built in Kabul.

November 5, 2015. "Can Solar Power Make Light Work of Afghanistans's Electricity Crisis?", Equal Times.

August 14, 2014. "After the Taliban: taking solar energy to remote parts of Afghanistan". The Guardian. A New Zealand project in Bamiyan provides electricity to inhabits. The project was completed by Sustainable Energy Services International.

April 23, 2013. "For Military, a Solar Energy Solution Lightens the Load and Could Save Lives". National Geographic.

February 28, 2013. "Weapons Division to test one-of-a-kind renewable energy system". NAWCWD Renewable Energy Office, Naval Air Systems Command.

November 30, 2012. "Logistics Marines embrace expeditionary energy, improve reliability of communications". DVIDS.

November 25, 2012. "U.S. Special Forces in Afghanistan Give You 5 Good Reasons to Support Solar Power". Clean Technica.

September 10, 2012. "GreenLancer Boosts Renewable Energy from Detroit to Afghanistan". Forbes.com.

August 2, 2012.  "Renewable energy initiative for Bamyan".  Scoop Independent News.

August 2012. "New Zealand starts renewable energy initiative in Afghanistan, supports 1.05 MW PV plant in Bamyan province". SolarServer.

July 17, 2012. "Study finds renewable energy could power more of electricity-scarce Afghanistan". PhysOrg.

June 2012. "Effort to Reduce Battery Weight May Soon Hit Brick Wall". National Defense.

May 8, 2012. "Following Pentagon's lead on clean energy".  The Hill's Congress Blog.

April 13, 2012. "Bright Future for Marine's Solar Power Plans". Signal Online.

March 31, 2012.  "Ground Renewable Expeditionary Energy Network - GREEN Marines".  Dod Live.mil.

March 15, 2012.  "Pentagon Goes on Solar Energy Expedition in Afghanistan".  Press Action.

February 2, 2012. "Why the Military Hates Fossil Fuels". Forbes.com.

February 1, 2012. "Renewable Energy does not equal Afghan Right". Afghan Good Enough blog.

January 27, 2012.  "In the Developing World, Solar is Cheaper than Fossil Fuels".  Technology Review.

January 25, 2012. "GREENS system sheds some light on II MEF". DVIDS.

January 17, 2012.  "Money-saving energy initiatives get spotlight in Afghanistan".  Army.mil.

January 9, 2012.  "Solar power just what the doctor ordered in Kenya".  AlertNet.

December 22, 2011.  "SolarChill vaccine cooling technology leading way to sustainable future". Vancouver Online Source.  News article on efforts to develop solar powered vaccine cooling systems for remote and austere evironments.

December 22, 2011.  "DIY solar panel maker heads to Africa for charity".  BBC News Technology. A story about do it yourself solar kits that recharge phones and batteries.

December 7, 2011.  "Tetra Tech Awarded USAID Contract for Water and Energy Projects in Afghanistan".  MarketWatch.

December 5, 2011.  "Japan's Assistance to Afghanistan".  YouTube.  Solar energy intitiative at the Kabul International Airport.

November 9, 2011.  "Plugging in: Renewable Energy for Remote Villages".  TriplePundit.

October 20, 2011.  "Pentagon Looks to Smart Grids for Battlefield Energy".  U.S. Department of Defense.

October 14, 2011.  "Portable Solar Power Gets Ultimate Field Test".  Earth Techling.

August 30, 2011.  "Solar panels power Marine equipment in Afghanistan".  Marketplace.

August 9, 2011.  "Switching on solar in  Afghanistan".  Peace Divident Trust.

July 25, 2011.  "Solar Streetlights Stabilize Panjawai".  USAID.

July 18, 2011.  "Solar ovens, renewable energy offer hope for Afghanistan".  Reuters.

June 4, 2011.  "Lab to KURE Afghan Energy Ills.  USAID and solar-powered water pump.

April 17, 2011.  "Solar Streetlights for Khost University".  USAID.

April 1, 2011.  "Transforming Sustainable Energy in Afghanistan".  Fast Company.

January 20, 2011.  "Solar Power Brings NetCentric Warfare to Afghanistan".  Forbes.

January 20, 2011.  "Marines in Afghanistan Find That Solar Panels Save Soldiers' Lives".  POPSCI.

September 14, 2010.  "U.S. Army Deploys Solar Power Backpacks in Afghanistan".  Clean Technica.

August 21, 2010.  "Use of Solar Energy in Afghanistan".  Solar Food Processing.

August 6, 2010.  "US National Guard unit to bring solar to rural Afghanistan".  PV Magazine.

August 2, 2010.  "Army deploys innovative battery-recharging kit".  Army.mil.

July 2, 2010.  "Solar lamp wins award for helping developing countries".  BBC News Africa.

July 2010.  "Solar panels and moderized electric bill payments boost power in Kandahar".  ReliefWeb.

January 2010.  "Promoting solar energy around the world".  United Nations Develpment Organization (UNIDO).

December 15, 2009.  "USAID Pilots a Solar Solution for Afghanistan's Nomads".  USAID.

November 23, 2009.  "Solar Panels Provide Cheap, Clean Energy to Logar Residents".  USAID.

June 18, 2009.  "Green Energy in Afghanistan".  AfghanMagazine.com.

December 22, 2008.  "Solar energy for children's home, schools, and hospitals in Afghanistan".  IBC SOLAR Press Release.

January 20, 2005.  "Alternative Energy Afghanistan: Solar Energy for Rural Use".  Alternative Energy Blog.

January 4, 2005.  "TA to Develop Solar Power in Remote Communities of Rural Afghanistan".  Asian Development Bank.

Videos about Solar Energy in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan Solar Dryers Make Big Impact, DVIDS, Feb 8, 2013. Village fabricated solar dryers provide a means to dry food for long-term storage.
www.dvidshub.net/video/281196/afghanistan-solar-dryers-make-big-impact