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> 3. Solar panels break down less than hand-turned generators. I live in an African country and solar panels have one huge disadvantage. Solar panels are often

> 3. Solar panels break down less than hand-turned generators. I live in an African country and solar panels have one huge disadvantage. Solar panels are often used now to power boreholes (usually fully submersible pumps which have become fairly cheap and easy to install, compared to so called "mono-pumps" of the old days) and pumps near rivers that are far from grid electricity. It is also used to power electric "energizers" for electric fences. The problem is that solar panels keep getting stolen. It is something that is fairly valuable that should be outside. I can just imagine the amount of theft that will go on when people have solar panels on the roofs of their homes/shacks. Also, the article failed to mention the real problem with using candles and fire for lighting - frequent fires.

kragen 16y ago
That's very interesting! What country are you in? What kind of pumps do people use now? I imagine that for applications in town, the theft problem will be less. If you have ten or twenty houses clustered together, you can probably leave one rifle home with one of the women in case someone tries to steal the solar panels. I mean, that's the same problem as someone trying to steal a motor scooter or whatever, right?
- Untitled 16y ago
  > That's very interesting! What country are you in? I lived in rural South Africa (not anymore though). > I mean, that's the same problem as someone trying to steal a motor scooter or whatever, right? What is funny for me is that motorcycles aren't as popular in the African countries that I have been (e.g. China or India). But yeah, things that is not inside the home is easily stolen. Things like car batteries or solar panels are extremely popular items to steal. > What kind of pumps do people use now? In the old days they used mono-pumps (where the motor was above ground and connected with rods). Nowadays the pump is in one sealed unit that is connected with plastic piping and electricity. Two people can install a pump in less than half a day and everything is light. The price of pumps also dropped.
  - kragen 16y ago
    > What is funny for me is that motorcycles aren't as popular in the African countries that I have been Could it be because they're too easy to steal, and there's less theft in China and India?

kragen 16y ago

That's very interesting! What country are you in? What kind of pumps do people use now? I imagine that for applications in town, the theft problem will be less. If you have ten or twenty houses clustered together, you can probably leave one rifle home with one of the women in case someone tries to steal the solar panels. I mean, that's the same problem as someone trying to steal a motor scooter or whatever, right?

Untitled 16y ago
> That's very interesting! What country are you in? I lived in rural South Africa (not anymore though). > I mean, that's the same problem as someone trying to steal a motor scooter or whatever, right? What is funny for me is that motorcycles aren't as popular in the African countries that I have been (e.g. China or India). But yeah, things that is not inside the home is easily stolen. Things like car batteries or solar panels are extremely popular items to steal. > What kind of pumps do people use now? In the old days they used mono-pumps (where the motor was above ground and connected with rods). Nowadays the pump is in one sealed unit that is connected with plastic piping and electricity. Two people can install a pump in less than half a day and everything is light. The price of pumps also dropped.
- kragen 16y ago
  > What is funny for me is that motorcycles aren't as popular in the African countries that I have been Could it be because they're too easy to steal, and there's less theft in China and India?