In renewable energy development, the world's least developed countries should have the highest access to solar power.

From rural villages in Africa and Asia to backwood towns right here in the U.S., green energy options are providing wide-range assistance for disadvantaged regions.

Consider Nigeria, which is an OPEC member and until recently, Africa's largest oil producer. I say, "until recently," because a combination of political turmoil in the country's petroleum heartland - the Niger River delta with criminal gangs, and siphoning from pipelines by poor citizens has made output sporadic. Plus, on Thursday Nigeria handed over control of the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to neighboring Cameroon.

This chaotic situation has allowed Angola, and soon Libya, to skip to the continental lead in oil production.

But out in the countryside, local newspaper This Day reports that solar energy is gaining traction.

22 rural communities in the state of Zamfara, totaling 70,000 people, now receive electricity from photovoltaic cells.

Among the 59 projects already underway, there are 29 health care centers serving basic medical needs, and 20,000 young people will receive job training related to the solar modules.

So in just one area we see solar power bringing all-hours access to medical care and vocational training, in a vibrant economic sector that has immediate local impact.

Clean Power in Urban and Rural Areas

Now, Nigeria has the largest population of any country in Africa, projected to reach over 350 million by the middle of the century. It would be foolish to pretend that solar alone will meet the needs of every citizen, but energy options are essential in nations where population and consumption are roaring forward.

From 11% of the population living in cities in 1950, the United Nations projects that 65% will live in urban areas by 2030. That's a tremendous strain on power generating capacity and the infrastructure needed to convey electricity.

We hope to see Nigeria, which gets much of its oil from offshore platforms, transition into an offshore wind powerhouse.

Of course, Africa isn't the only place where the flux of migrants from villages to metropolises is apparent.

Global Renewable Energy

In rural China, far away from the mega-cranes and Olympic fervor, parabolic water heaters are keeping families from having to spend their days gathering wood that will burn dirty and lead to breathing problems. Still, the opportunities that come with more time for education and leisure often lead the upwardly mobile away from home.

I've seen the transition with my own eyes, and the rural-urban wave is one major point of modern life you have to grasp along with the changing energy economy.

We're tracking plays like World Water and Power (WWAT.OB), which has co-generating mechanisms to pump water from solar devices. Such technology is increasingly necessary not only in the boondocks but in crowded slums that develop when there isn't enough housing for rural immigrants.

You may be hearing about renewables more and more from leaders of the world economy and government these days, but don't forget it's the individual consumers who need change the most, and who can deliver the highest returns on investment.

Regards,

Sam Hopkins

Green Chip International is looking for companies that know cities aren't the only place where renewable energy becomes reality. GCI has already found firms with know-how and connections to get energy to may even be getting electricity for the first time. To learn more, click here: http://www.angelnexus.com/o/web/7281