07.08.2008

UN21 Award to solar energy project in UNEP Risø Centre

UN Secretary-General has given the India Solar Home Systems Project, which is based in UNEP Risø Centre, a UN21 Award for 2007. The project was chosen among more than 70 nominated UN projects and was one of 15 awarded project three of them being UNEP initiatives.

India Solar Home Systems Project has created a new business model for financing domestic renewable energy including solar water heating systems. Jyoti P. Painuly from UNEP Risø Centre has been working on the project since 2003 and so far at least 100,000 people have been able to afford clean and reliable solar power because of this financing model.

It all started in India, but now the model is being picked up in other countries including Morocco, Albania, Chile, Egypt, Ghana, Indonesia and Mexico.

It is not the first time the India Solar Home Systems Project is being awarded. Last year it won the prestigious Energy Globe Award, also referred to as the Oscar of renewable energy. (read more).

Read more in the UNEP Risø Centre’s homepage.

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Jyoti P. Painuly

Systems Analysis (SYS)
Dir tel+45 46775167