Solar-Based Rural Electrification and Micro-Enterprise ... - NREL

REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGEForm ApprovedOMB NO. 0704-0188Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources,gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of thiscollection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to Washington Headquarters Services, Directorate for Information Operations and Reports, 1215 JeffersonDavis Highway, Suite 1204, Arlington, VA 22202-4302, and to the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (0704-0188), Washington, DC 20503.1. AGENCY USE ONLY (Leave blank) 2. REPORT DATENovember 20003. REPORT TYPE AND DATES COVEREDSubcontractor Report4. TITLE AND SUBTITLESolar-Based Rural Electrification and Microenterprise Development in Latin America: AGender Analysis6. AUTHOR(S)Julie A. Smith5. FUNDING NUMBERSTA: 5500-4000PO: 1622447. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)Julie A. SmithBoston, Massachusetts8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATIONREPORT NUMBER9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES)National Renewable Energy Laboratory1617 Cole Blvd.Golden, CO 80401-339310. SPONSORING/MONITORINGAGENCY REPORT NUMBERNREL/SR-550-2899511. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTESNREL Technical Monitor: Barbara C. Farhar, Ph.D.12a. DISTRIBUTION/AVAILABILITY STATEMENTNational Technical Information ServiceU.S. Department of Commerce5285 Port Royal RoadSpringfield, VA 2216112b. DISTRIBUTION CODE13. ABSTRACT (Maximum 200 words)Worldwide, an estimated 1.5 to 2 billion people do not have access to electricity, including 100 million in the Latin Americaregion. Depending on the country, 30 to 90 % of this unelectrified Latin American population lives in rural areas wheregeographic remoteness and low energy consumption patterns may preclude the extension of the conventional electricity grid.Women are heavily impacted by the energy scarcity given their role as primary energy procurers and users for the household,agricultural and small industrial subsectors in developing countries. As a result, women spend disproportionately more timeengaged in energy-related activities like carrying water and searching for cooking fuel.This paper describes the use of decentralized renewable energy systems as one approach to meet the energy needs of ruralareas in Latin America. It outlines the advantages of a decentralized energy paradigm to achieve international developmentgoals, especially as they relate to women. The paper studies Enersol Associates, Inc.’s Solar-Based Rural Electrificationmodel as an example of a decentralized energy program which has merged energy and development needs through the localinvolvement of energy entrepreneurs, non-governmental organizations and community members.14. SUBJECT TERMSLatin America; electricity; gender; women; renewable energy; Enersol Associates;decentralized energy15. NUMBER OF PAGES2516. PRICE CODE17. SECURITY CLASSIFICATIONOF REPORTUnclassified18. SECURITY CLASSIFICATIONOF THIS PAGEUnclassified19. SECURITY CLASSIFICATIONOF ABSTRACTUnclassified20. LIMITATION OF ABSTRACTULNSN 7540-01-280-5500 Standard Form 298 (Rev. 2-89)Prescribed by ANSI Std. Z39-18298-102