Environmental research

The main objective of the project is to promote a renewable energy technology which up to now has little exposure in Botswana. The project if proved to be successful may be replicated in other villages. The project will reduce carbon dioxide generation by means of replacing parrafin burning and petrol combustion that is used for lighting by electric lighting from rechargeable batteries that are charged through Solar Battery Charging Stations. Furthermore the project reduces environmental pollution due to discarded dry cells, and also improves indoor air quality by replacing paraffin lighting with electric lighting. The project will provide services for charging batteries in rural villages using solar energy. Ten Solar Battery Charging Stations will be made available to shop owners in rural villages that are not connected to the mains electric grid. At the Solar Battery Charging Stations customes can bring batteries to be charged for a fee. The GEF/SGP will initially subsidise the purchase cost of the equipment to overcome financial barriers. The project will also support activities that will lower perception barries of the operators and users, and reduce technical barries. In order to overcome financial constraints for shop owners that wish to employ a Solar Battery Charging Station outside the GEF project, a standard business plan will be prepared to apply for CEDA funding. Furthermore CEDA officers will be trained in responding to applications for this type of funding.

Botswana