The Canadian technology of new low-cost solar-powered energy for home lighting much cheaper compared to traditional ones can be utilised in Pakistan, particularly in rural areas.
Founder of Light-Up World Foundation (LUWF), Dr David Irvine Halliday told roundtable discussion organised by the LUWF Pakistani Chapter here on Friday.
He said it was viable solution to power shortage in rural areas of developing nations.
"It can be used conveniently by those having no grid electricity. Even in areas where grid electricity is available, new technology offers significant saving in cost particularly for low income and middle income groups," Dr Halliday said.
Experiments in Pakistan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka have shown that solar panel, batteries and two lamps easily light up a room.
Dr Halliday said it would bring radical change in lives of poor people. "Why they have to wait to have access to electricity when low-cost technology is available'.
"With home lighting system, people can continue activities after sunset, which they could not due to absence of electricity at present," he added. He described it "lighting of third millennium as it would shape up whole face of those areas, still deprived by electricity'.
LUTW Pakistan General Secretary, Zubair Kazmi said the NGOs and micro-credit financial institution's help could be sought to arrange loans for poor people to purchase the new system.
He said the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) had been approached to reduce duty on importing solar panel or exempt it to provide new system to those living in rural areas.
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