Table Of ContentAdvance Praise for
Chasing the Sun
You,too,can help save the world.Read this book!
— Thom Hartmann,author ofThe Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight
Neville Williams did not invent solar cells,but he has tirelessly promoted them.
Iftwo billion people in developing countries one day get electricity,it will
be because ofthe groundwork he has laid.Chasing the Sun engagingly
chronicles the author’s enduring effort to build a solar world.
— Lester R.Brown,president,Earth Policy Institute
Chasing the Sunis a fascinating account ofthe author’s personal odyssey to
promote solar energy in the developing world.Reading this book,I was reminded
ofwhat my good friend,the late Buckminster Fuller once said — “There is no
shortage ofenergy on this planet;but there is a serious shortage ofintelligence!”.
Neville Williams shows how intelligent,local solutions can be found to
meet energy needs ofcommunities across Asia and Africa.This should
be an eye-opener for donors and policy-makers alike.
— Sir Arthur C.Clarke,inventor ofthe communications satellite
Chasing the Sunis a maddeningly frustrating and extremely inspiring diary
ofthe 15-year effort by Neville Williams and his colleagues to provide solar
energy to rural areas ofthe developing world.The book chronicles the mindless
obstructionism ofthe development establishment,misguided competition
from a multinational oil giant and the reflexive skepticism ofconventional
investment bankers.But the saving grace ofthis meticulously detailed
odyssey is the thrilling enthusiasm ofpoor farmers and their families
in south Asia whose lives have been forever transformed by the
gift oflow-cost and unlimited energy.
— Ross Gelbspan,author,The Heat Is Onand Boiling Point
Philip Jones
Griffiths
Philip Jones Griffiths
NEW SOCIETY PUBLISHERS
Cataloging in Publication Data:
A catalog record for this publication is available from the National Library of
Canada.
Copyright © 2005 by Neville Williams.
All rights reserved.
All interior photographs courtesy ofSolar Electric Light Fund unless otherwise
credited.
Cover design by Diane McIntosh.Cover photo Joseph Sohm.
Printed in Canada.First printing September 2005.
Paperback ISBN:0-86571-537-8
Inquiries regarding requests to reprint all or part of Chasing the Sun should be
addressed to New Society Publishers at the address below.
To order directly from the publishers, please call toll-free (North America)
1-800-567-6772,or order online at www.newsociety.com
Any other inquiries can be directed by mail to:
New Society Publishers
P.O.Box 189,Gabriola Island,BC V0R 1X0,Canada
1-800-567-6772
New Society Publishers’mission is to publish books that contribute in fundamen-
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the least possible impact on the environment,in a manner that models this vision.
We are committed to doing this not just through education,but through action.We
are acting on our commitment to the world’s remaining ancient forests by phasing
out our paper supply from ancient forests worldwide.This book is one step toward
ending global deforestation and climate change.It is printed on acid-free paper that
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To Patricia,
without whom none of this
would have been possible.
Contents
Acknowledgments..............................................................................................XIII
Introduction............................................................................................................1
CHAPTERI:Solar Revolution?.............................................................................5
CHAPTERII:A World of Darkness...................................................................27
CHAPTERIII:Illuminating Adventures............................................................53
CHAPTERIV:Technology Time-Out...............................................................79
CHAPTERV:Born at Pocantico Hills.............................................................101
CHAPTERVI:Sacred Sun at Your Service.....................................................127
CHAPTERVII:Sunshine and Serendipity......................................................167
CHAPTERVIII:War Is Over IfYou Want It..................................................195
CHAPTERIX:Cirque du Soleil........................................................................223
CHAPTERX:The Solar Age for You and Me................................................261
Glossary ofAcronyms and Abbreviations.....................................................287
Bibliography........................................................................................................289
Index....................................................................................................................293
About the Author..............................................................................................303
Description:If millions of people in the developing world can use solar power, why can’t we in North America? The question immediately arises from this fascinating account of the author’s 12-year quest to bring solar power and light to people in the developing world who have no electricity. Chasing the Sun
