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Father Verspieren and Mali Aqua Viva: Lessons Learned from Fighting Drought and Poverty with Photovoltaic Solar Energy in Africa

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  • Mario Pagliaro

    (Istituto per lo Studio dei Materiali Nanostrutturati, CNR, 90146 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

Almost fifty years after the first installations, I identify the main lessons learned from fighting drought and poverty in Africa with direct solar-powered pumps, thanks to Father Bernard Verspieren and Mali Aqua Viva. Six main findings and three main recommendations emerge from the present analysis. They are of direct relevance to all the countries in Africa whose population has gone from 438 million in 1977 to 1308 million in 2019, with about 600 million still having no access to electricity. In place of “awareness campaigns” and extraordinary courses held by international organizations, I recommend the establishment of national solar energy institutes whose task will include the education of solar energy professionals and giving practice-oriented workshops on solar-powered drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting throughout each of Africa’s countries. This education will critically include the economic and social aspects of distributed “generation” of energy and water from sunlight and rainfall.

Suggested Citation

  • Mario Pagliaro, 2020. "Father Verspieren and Mali Aqua Viva: Lessons Learned from Fighting Drought and Poverty with Photovoltaic Solar Energy in Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-8, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:8:p:3136-:d:345162
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ciriminna, Rosaria & Meneguzzo, Francesco & Pecoraino, Mario & Pagliaro, Mario, 2016. "Rethinking solar energy education on the dawn of the solar economy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 63(C), pages 13-18.
    2. Eugene C.X. Ikejemba & Peter C. Schuur, 2018. "Analyzing the Impact of Theft and Vandalism in Relation to the Sustainability of Renewable Energy Development Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-17, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lefore, Nicole & Closas, Alvar & Schmitter, Petra, 2021. "Solar for all: A framework to deliver inclusive and environmentally sustainable solar irrigation for smallholder agriculture," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).

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