Solar-powered drip irrigation enhances food security in the Sudano–Sahel documents a field research project which found that:
"solar-powered drip irrigation significantly augments both household income and nutritional intake, particularly during the dry season, and is cost effective compared to alternative technologies"
Over the decades, irrigation has been shown to greatly increase agricultural productivity. Drip irrigation is spreading rapidly in Africa, with significant benefits.
"Drip irrigation delivers water (and fertilizer) directly to the roots of plants, thereby improving soil moisture conditions; in some studies, this has resulted in yield gains of up to 100%, water savings of up to 40–80%, and associated fertilizer, pesticide, and labor savings over conventional irrigation systems"
The solar-powered systems, however, look to offer the potential for even better results. From the study on impacts of PVDI systems it was reported:
"The women’s agricultural group members utilizing the PVDI systems became strong net producers in vegetables with extra income earned from sales, significantly increasing their purchases of staples, pulses, and protein during the dry season, and oil during the rainy season.
Finally, survey respondents were asked how frequently they were unable to meet their household food needs. Based on the frequency and most recent incident, households were assigned a food insecurity score ranging from zero (no problems during the previous year) to one (perpetually unable to meet food needs). This score changed significantly for project beneficiaries, as they were 17% less likely to feel chronically food-insecure. In short, the PVDI systems had a remarkable effect on both year-round and seasonal food access."
Infogreen Global on 07 Dec 10To power his home and his car, Greenberg has two solar installations and a solar water heater. They produce so much energy he has dubbed his home the Ordway Solar Power Plant. His solar panels, which sit atop his white roof, generate roughly 7,000 kilowatt-hours annually. His house and his electric car together use about 3,000 kWh per year. That leaves about 4,000 kWh surplus that he gives back to Pacific Gas & Electric every year, enough to power about two-thirds of another typical single-family home in the area.
