Each workshop involved a number of expert presentations, as well as discussion of the issues among the participants. He said that to succeed with rural development, poverty alleviation and electrification, an understanding of what the people targeted want is essential. The bank started as a loan system in the 1970s, and now has 2.4 million clients among the landless poor. On Grameen Shakti, DiPal Barua highlighted its solar energy programme, which involves local technician training and active maintenance.
Rural communities are a key element for economic and social development.
Maria Kendro, National Telephone Cooperative Association, discusses the role of rural telecenters. He spoke on considerations in the selection of power systems and end-use equipment, and technical assistance to implementing agencies. He says the productive use of renewable energy is a key to rural market strategy. Panelists include representatives of the Discovery Channel Global Education Fund, E-Bay Foundation, Lucent Technologies, SunGuard, ICSI and SolarQuest. Computer-based Analysis for Rural Energy Development Doug Danley, Orion Energy, presents Nsol, a program for sizing PV systems.