
Unfortunately, PhotoVoltaic (PV) panels are not cheap enough yet for true third-world use. However, if the PV paints/coatings (Corus developments etc) take off, it won't matter that they are less efficient than the doped silicon used as present, because Africa has a shitload of sunlight to harvest and lots of corrugated iron to paint them on.
That's not to say that the weight idea doesn't have merit - it's just NOT what the brief asked.
( , Mon 10 Dec 2012, 15:30, Reply)

They need to build proper infrastructure. You can teach a man to fish but you can't lead a horse to a bush with 2 birds in it, as the saying goes.
( , Mon 10 Dec 2012, 15:50, Reply)