More than 2,000 residents of remote African villages, formerly without access to electricity, are viewing the 2010 FIFA World Cup soccer competition due to the presence 36 solar-operated television viewing points. Installed by SolarWorld, a Germany-based manufacturer of solar energy products, this Sun-TV project enables more fans in Swaziland (1 station), Botswana (1), Lesotho (1), Namibia (4), and South Africa (29) to participate in the sports event taking place on their continent.
A Sun-TV system is powered by batteries which are charged by the PV modules. It allows for four hours of continuous viewing per day.
“Our Sun-TV viewing points show what you can do with solar technology,” says Frank H. Asbeck, chairman and CEO of SolarWorld AG. “For many people in Africa, it is the first real opportunity to participate. For us in the industrialized world, clean solar energy from our own roofs will be a natural part of our overall energy supply in the future.”
The solar-operated facilities are located in village squares or integrated into facilities such as community centers or churches. SolarWorld’s high performance solar panels power the viewing points, which are equipped with DVD players. Each can receive sports, children’s and educational programs via satellite.
Read more about Sun-TV here.