downtoearth-subscribe

Solar solution

Solarica, a privately owned Dutch company, is investing US $11.5 million to bring solar energy to 11,000 families whose houses are scattered alongside the dense foliage of Costa Rica's rainforests. At a monthly cost of about US $10, a family will have access to 50 watts of electricity per day produced from a solar photovoltaic unit. The unit will provide approximately six hours of power. The Netherlands government has agreed to invest about 25-30 per cent of the cost of the project. Private investors will finance the rest. About 30 Costa Ricans will be trained on how to install and maintain the systems.

Related Content