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Since its founding in 1990, SELF's innovative approach to rural electrification has been covered by journalists world-wide.  Visit the following links to read more.

April 20, 2008
Project takes solar power to villages
Dallas Morning News April 9, 2008
UC Davis students share their light
The California AggieApril 6, 2008

Power to the Clinics
PIH-EMRApril 2, 2008
Some real environmental heroism
No Impact Man
March 26, 2008
Solar Electric Light Fund Tackles Benin's Arid Land
RenewableEnergyWorld.comMarch 25, 2008
The Death of Sir Arthur: former SELF CEO Neville Williams on the passing of Arthur C.Clarke
Word OutJanuary 29, 2008
Renewable Energy Powers Rwandan Health Centers
RenewableEnergyWorld.comJanuary 28, 2008
Stanford research team launches public information portal for SELF's Kalalé Solar electrification project in Benin
Stanford.edu
January 24, 2008
Spotlighting "Creative Capitalism:" It Is What You See
NextBillion.net
January 9, 2008
Harnessing solar energy in Senegal

CNNMoney.com
December 12, 2007
Bovina man helps in rebuilding of New Orleans
The Daily StarOctober 18, 2007

EBay, PopTech Make Buying Carbon Offsets Easy
Wired News September 12, 2007
A New Bold, Bright Era for Solar
RenewableEnergyWorld.com
August 2007
SELF help brings solar power to PIH clinics in rural Rwanda
Partners in Health NewsJune 27, 2007

SENEGAL: Ambitious solar power project threatened by mismanagement
ReutersApril 10, 2007

Larry Hagman Backs Green Causes
Washington PostMarch 12, 2007
Celebrities Endorse 'Refunds for Good' Web Site to Recycle Phone Tax Refunds to Help Stop Global Warming
send2press.comFebruary 24, 2007
Lufthansa will Klimaschutz-Tickets anbieten
Spiegel Online (German)

FROM THE ARCHIVES

bop

The Fortune at the Bottom of the Pyramid, January, 2002

"Investment at the 'bottom of the pyramid' means lifting billions of people out of poverty and desperation, averting the social decay, political chaos, terrorism, and environmental meltdown that is certain to continue if the gap between rich and poor countries continues to widen."

Read Acrobat Document (196K)

nyt

Solar Power Is Reaching Where Wires Can't, September 9, 2001

Solar power is opening doors to the Internet for many people with no access to traditional energy sources.

Read Acrobat Document (831K)

 

The Great Disruption

The Great Disruption, 2001

Disruptive technologies create new economic growth by offering products and services that are cheaper, better, and more convenient. Understanding how these technologies work will allow policymakers to not only invigorate stagnant economies, but also head off potential dangers in strong economies. 

Read Acrobat Document (357K)

Renewable and Conventional Energy

Renewable and Conventional Energy, 2000

"The need is dire. . .among the Third World's estimated two billion people who live on less than $1 a day and the three billion living without electricity."

Read Acrobat Document (1.07MB)

Solar Schools Brighter Future

Solar Schools Brighter Future:, 2000

Samantha Dlomo, an 11th grader at Myeka High School in Kwa-Zulu Natal South Africa, won a global contest when she wrote about the affects of solar electricity that SELF provided to her high school. 

Read Acrobat Document (839 KB)

Solar Power for the Roof of the World

Solar Power for the Roof of the World, 1999

"A remote Nepalese village at the foot of the Himalayas is the scene of a remarkable pilot project in decentralized power.  By the light of a low-energy bulb, women can weave handbags, children learn for school--and soccer fans cheer their favorite team on TV." 

Read Text Only Document

Solar Succeeds in Nepal

Solar Succeeds In Nepal, 1999

In the Nepalese mountain village of Pulimarang, families have little surplus and cash income is modest.  The introduction of solar energy by SELF provided families with additional income and incentive to avoid urban migration. 

Read Acrobat Document (491KB)

From the Swiss Alps to the Solomons

From the Swiss Alps to the Solomons, 1999

How did SELF begin a project in the remote village of Sukiki in the Solomon Islands?  Well, it's a funny story beginning with an American, Neville Williams, mountain climbing in the Swiss Alps.... 

Read Acrobat Document (919KB)

How Not to Develop an Emerging Nation

How Not to Develop an Emerging Nation, 1998

 "The world is relying on technology to bring economic development to emerging nations. It's the right idea, but for the past two decades we've been relying on the wrong technologies."  SELF is supplying the "right" technologies.  

Read Acrobat Document (2.26MB)

The Technology of Hope

The Technology Of Hope, 1998

"The idea that today's emerging economies must pass through a phase of mass industrialization as Western nations did is an antiquated premise." Read follow up to How Not To Develop a Nation.

Read Acrobat Document (2.83MB)

Electrification and Sustainability

Electrification and Global Sustainability, 1998

"Ensuring global sustainability in the coming century will involve striking a balance between economic, environmental, and quality of life considerations--a challenge made more difficult by population growth and the potential for global climate change.  

Read Acrobat Document (4.36MB)

Selling Solar

Selling Solar: Financing Household Solar Energy in the Developing World, 1997

This article discusses creating market infrastructure, developing purchaser credit, and building working capital for solar energy projects in the developing world.  

Read Acrobat Document (1.5MB)

Shining Examples

Shining Examples, 1997

"...the Ramji family of Andhra Pradesh, India had a problem that is all too common in the developing world--they lacked reliable electricity to light their home."  Read how SELF helped the Ramjis to finance a solar home system. 

Read Acrobat Document (3.51MB)

A Zulu Village Looks to the Sun

A Zulu Village Looks to the Sun, 1996

Maphephethe means "land where the sun rises" --an appropriate name for the first village in South Africa to launch a solar-electrification project.  An interview with the region's Inkosi (Chief) provides a personal perspective as to how electricity is changing the lives of his people.

Read Acrobat Document (769KB)

Affordable Solar Financing

An Affordable Formula for Financing Solar Electrification, 1996

Involved in the solar industry since 1973, Will Cawood discusses the financing model used by SELF for rural electrification.  

Read Acrobat Document (769KB)

Bringing Power to the People

Bringing Power to the People, 1995

This extensive article relates SELF's beginnings and early projects.  The photos are gorgeous and worth the download time! 

Read Acrobat Document (2.04MB)