Dependence on Imports Because Nepal has no fossil fuel reserves, dependence on imports of kerosene, gasoline and diesel have put a strain on the economy and made Nepal vulnerable to embargoes. In 1989, a kerosene embargo levied by India brought the Nepalese economy to a halt, and incited mass public demonstrations. Lighting extends villager's social lives, and electricity powers TVs and radios that bring news of the outside world. Back to Top Solar Electricity Reliable and Popular Solar electric systems in over 900 Nepali homes provide power for household and business lighting, and to power small DC appliances. Solar electricity also powers water pumps that provide Nepali villages in the Terai plains with drinking water, and NGO project offices in remote districts.
Solar electricity is extremely reliable because there are no moving parts in the systems.
Because of its reliability, solar electricity is used to power critical applications such as vaccine refrigerators and surgery theaters in rural clinics. According to one estimate, over 6000 units of 50 W module PV systems are in use in different parts of the country by the Nepal Telecommunication Corporation powering remote telephone repeaters. Unlike hydroelectricity or wind, solar electricity is fairly evenly distributed spatially and temporally, so every area in Nepal has adequate sunlight in all seasons for a solar electric system. This puts the responsibility for system use and care on the household. While solar electricity is generally more expensive than micro-hydroelectricity on a price per watt basis, the use of efficient appliances and solar electricity's low maintenance requirements can bring the costs closer than a price per watt comparison might suggest.