\r\n\r\nThe first phase of the program, called “The National\r\nPhotovoltaic Household Electrification Program” was initiated\r\non Monday (July 8) in the Contumaza province, where 1,601 solar\r\npanels were installed. These installations will power 126\r\nimpoverished communities in the districts of Cupisnique, San Benito,\r\nTantarica, Chilete, Yonan, San Luis, and Contai.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n
<\/a>\r\nAs MEM says,\r\n\r\nPR 066-11 14 February 2011<\/a>,\r\n
\r\nThe availability of solar power makes its use attractive throughout the whole country.\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\nMEM remarked about a 20 MW solar plant in Moquegua, \r\n\r\nPR 197-11 11 May 2011<\/a>,\r\n
\r\nProject will produce clean energy and generate local employment\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n\r\n<\/a>\r\n
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\r\n\r\nMerino revealed plans to expand the program significantly by 2016,\r\nstating that incorporating solar panels and installing them in the\r\nmost impoverished areas could allow up to 95% of the Peruvian\r\npopulation to have electricity. That means only 5% of the country’s\r\ninhabitants will be without power.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n
\r\nNow that’s a vision!\r\n<\/p>\r\n
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<\/a>\r\n
\r\nMap from OY Not Solar\r\n\r\nSure, Peru, almost due south of here and closer to the other side\r\nof the equator, has somewhat more sunshine than we do.\r\nBut Peru’s plan to provide affordable solar electricity to its\r\npoorer areas could also work right here in Georgia.\r\n
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\r\nSolarServer.com, 16 July 2013,\r\n\r\nPeru unveils off-grid solar household electrification program<\/a>,\r\n
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<\/a>\r\nThrough a program of rural electrification, the rate of\r\nelectrification in the Cajamarca Region has gone from 48% of\r\nhouseholds to 60% in just one year.\r\n<\/p>\r\n
\r\nMinister Merino notes that the installation of PV modules is faster\r\nthan grid extension, and that when families have electricity in\r\ntheir homes, it allows children more time to study.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n
\r\nFaster than grid extension, and if you’ve already got a grid,\r\nlike we do here in Georgia,\r\ninstalling distributed solar power is way faster than building a new nuke.\r\n<\/p>\r\n
\r\nDon Lieber tied all this back to Georgia:\r\n<\/p>\r\n
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![](\"https:\/\/pbs.twimg.com\/media\/BO6DF4ECUAAfZQ3.jpg:small\")
<\/a>\r\nMeanwhile, in the United States, Americans for Prosperity — a\r\npolitical lobbying group founded by billionaire fossil fuel\r\nindustrialists Charles and David Koch — is currently lobbying\r\nthe Georgia state legislature to reject a plan requiring Georgia\r\nPower, one of the largest energy utilities in the American\r\nSoutheast, to buy more solar energy.\r\n<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n