Carbon credits and solar panels are transforming lives in the village of Aharkandhi in northeastern Bangladesh, where an off-grid electrification project funded by the World Bank is delivering power and light for the first time.
“With access to electricity, people are finding new ways to increase their income, and the word is spreading quickly across villages,” the Bank reports. “At night, families gather at the local grocery store to watch TV, which boosts business. Children study longer than before.”
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Bangladesh is trying to boost renewable generation to 10% of the total by 2020, from less than 1% today, Chang writes. “In addition to providing energy, the solar home systems are reducing greenhouse gas emissions and earning carbon credits by reducing the use of kerosene lamps for lighting and diesel generators that had been used to charge batteries.”
