What the heroin industry can teach us about solar power
"Solar has changed everything for these farmers," says Dr David Mansfield as we watch the video.
Dr Mansfield is the author of the report. He has been studying opium production in Afghanistan for more than 25 years and tells me the introduction of solar is by far the most significant technological change he has seen in that time.
Buying diesel to power their ground water pumps used to be the farmers' biggest expense.
"And it isn't just the cost," Dr Mansfield continues. "The diesel in these remote areas is heavily adulterated so pumps and generators keep breaking down. That's a huge problem for farmers."
Now it is very different.
For an upfront payment of $5,000 they can buy an array of solar panels and an electric pump. Once it is installed, there are virtually no running costs.
Read original full article
