Eco Factor: Initiative to train underprivileged people to harness solar energy. With millions of people living in rural India still deprived of the first sparks of electricity to illuminate their homes, the Orissa Tribal Empowerment & Livelihoods Programme has taken the initiative to train women and youth to become barefoot solar engineers , which involves training to harness the sun throughout the construction of photovoltaic systems and solar-powered lanterns. Funded by the

UK’s Department of International Development , the Orissa Tribal Empowerment and Livelihoods Programme has trained the first batch of engineers, who have been awarded a contract to build 3000 solar-powered lanterns that will help students to study after dark without using conventional sources of light such as kerosene lamps. Via: Inhabitat

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Eco Tech: Barefoot solar engineers to help power rural India