SolSource

SolSource is a project currently taking place in Amdo, Tibet (Qinghai, China). The project has several components:

News

Winner of the 7th annual MIT IDEAS Competition and recipient of the Yunus Innovation Challenge Award, the SolSource project has received additional funding to continue field testing of solar cooker and heater prototypes as well as implementation of the Fuel Use Database.

Innovating for an Alternative Fuel Source

[Technology Transfer Segment]

Collaborating with villagers from Awuju, Xiakeba, Zhengga, Quma, and Bailing Villages in Amdo-Tibet (western China), we have developed an innovative solar design that incorporates both cooking and heating functionalities.

By addressing the villagers concerns about fuel collection and current solar cooker design, we are reducing the time needed for collecting fuel. This allows for alternative economic activities and increased education for women. In addition, pollution due to fuel combustion will be reduced, improving health and productivity.

The SolSource solar solution, however, is just the first step towards a sustainable rural energy model for high altitude regions. As biomass fuels are phased out, sanitation from excess animal excrement is a potential health concern. Methane recapture for electricity generation would be an ideal solution, however, low temperatures in high altitude regions currently prevent its widespread use. Biomass gasification is another option but has not previously been explored in Qinghai. Although clean biomass energy is not feasible at this stage in the project, our household solar heating system is built for easy modification in order to maintain optimum temperatures in a household digester and we hope to address this aspect in future project phases.

By supplying low-input renewable energies, we are opening opportunities for the development of rural community economies which we hope to encourage through our discussions and training sessions.

The SolSource Energy Model. Phase 1 of the SolSource Energy Model involves the implementation the SolSource 2-in-1 solar solution leading to an expected 70% abatement of rural household emissions ( Abatement). In Phase 2, the biomass left unburned due to Phase 1 is processed in order to meet villagers' additional energy needs as well as to produce organic fertilizer [NOTE: Some rural families spend as much as 30% of their annual household income on chemical fertilizers].

Fuel Use Database

[Monitoring Scheme]

We are currently developing a fuel use database to monitor the impact of this new technology. In the winter and spring of 2009, we will offer training sessions to NGOs and individuals who are interested in using our database to process fuel use statistics from rural Qinghai communities. Please contact us if you or your organization are interested in attending.

Training Sessions

[Technical Training Segment]

We are in the process of preparing Tibetan Language training modules on the following topics:

1. Indoor Air Pollution and Climate Change: Why do we want clean energy?

This module includes statistics about deaths and illnesses from IAP, skits about minimizing exposure to IAP, the relationship between IAP and cigarette smoke, and an explanation of climate change.

2. How to operate, care for, and repair SolSource solar technology

Learning to operate, care for, and repair a new technology can be daunting. This module guides villagers through the process until they become comfortable.

3. Education, Economic Opportunities, & Entrepreneurship

Increasing women's free time does not automatically improve household incomes and living situations. This module aims to give villagers the tools necessary to make the most of their increased free time by: 1) emphasizing the connection between education and income, and 2) exposing villagers to case studies of rural entrepreneurship.