NATO Going Solar in Afghanistan

A civil-military team in Afghanistan is using green tech as part of a push to bolster security in one of the country's remote southern provinces.  The Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team recently installed solar-powered lamps in several communities, including Qalat, Sharjoy and Shar-e Safi. In areas where power generation is scarce, these lamps can store enough energy to keep operating for several sunless days. They have an added security benefit: according to a NATO news release, the lighting also allows Afghan security forces to conduct patrols more easily after sunset.  This kind of experiment has been tried in Iraq as well, with the Ministry of Interior sponsoring the installation of solar-powered streetlights (pictured). According to NPR, not everyone is pleased with the "sunny awakening": residents complain that the government has still not remedied basic problems with the electrical grid.

http://blog.wired.com/defense/2008/12/going-solar-in.html

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