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Insight and Technology

People without electricity could end up living the energy dream

Solar power is giving millions of people access to electricity for the first time – could they bypass traditional fossil fuel grids altogether?

By Michael Le Page

19 December 2017

low-power light

Bloomberg via Getty Images

MORE than now have access to electricity for the first time thanks to simple solar power systems that typically provide LED lights and a phone charger. More powerful versions include radios and even televisions.

The LEDs provide a clean and cheap alternative to the kerosene lamps normally used by those with no electricity. “People spend 50 cents a day on kerosene,” says Nick Hughes, co-founder of M-KOPA Solar of Kenya, which has sold 550,000 home solar power systems in East Africa. Some families spend on fuel for…

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