Rural Lighting : A guide for development workers

Nearly one third of humanity still live in semi-darkness after sunset, no better off than in earlier centuries, mainly because they are beyond the reach of mains electricity. The traditional forms of lighting such as candles, oil lamps, kerosene pressure lamps, butane lamps tend to be inefficient and inadequate for many applications.Recent technical developments in electrical lighting have led to exciting new possibilities such as highefficiency compact fluorescent lamps. Such lamps can increase the economic use of solar photovoltaic power systems or small wind-powered systems. These, and other new lighting technologies are becoming available and more affordable, but it can be difficult to know which types and sizes are most appropriate for different purposes.To meet these needs, Rural Lighting provides information to assist development workers and project managers working in rural or semi-urban development, health, farming, small business sectors to decide:• What level of light is necessary to meet the needs.• Which type of lighting sources would be most suitable.• How to provide small amounts of power for lighting• How to implement cost-effective lighting systemsRural Lighting also includes an illustrated Buyers Guide'' section providing up-to-date information on lighting systems and products available and listing addresses of manufacturers in many countries around the world.