World Bank Technical Paper No. 298. Summarizes the factors that constrain girls schooling in Sub-Saharan Africa and outlines practical ways of designing programs that will accelerate female participation in education in the region. Also available in French: (ISBN 0-8213-3507-3) Stock No. 13507.

The energy situation in developing countries is desperate.Because these countries are primarily dependent on fossil fuels--chiefly oil--for industrial growth, they have been hard hit by oil price increases. Further, in the rural areas, where most of the population lives, there are limited supplies of increasingly expensive diesel fuel or kerosene. Noncormzercial energy sources such as firewood, dung, and agriouZtural residues are generally used in rural areas, but under the pressure of growing populations the forests are disappearing. This is resulting in a critical shortage of firewood for cooking and heating, as well as in the destruction of the environment. In addition, when dung and agricultural residues are burned, valuable fertilizers are destroyed. Thus, the rural areas--the sources of food and fiber--face a particularly alarming situation.

The evidence suggests that many solar programs are being designed and implemented in isolation and without reliance on published guidelines or the experience gained by others. The conclusion is obvious: the likelihood of a program being successful would be greatly improved if program implementers were made more aware of best practice guidelines and of the lessons and experience learned by others in implementing previous programs. Furthermore, the best practice guidelines not only need to be readily available but need to describe the stages, issues and the stakeholders’ roles in designing and implementing a SHS program. This book showcases a detailed road map that has been developed for the implementation of rural electrification projects in developing countries using solar PV. Features of this book will be case studies derived from personal participatory observation of the authors on Solar Home Systems, their impact, their advantages and disadvantages and their operation.

Solar Energy in the 80s covers the proceedings of the Conference on Solar Energy held in London. The book presents papers that discuss issues concerning the decision-making aspect of solar energy technology. The text outlines the technological options of various solar energy technologies, such as the system, equipment level of investment, sales policy, operational conditions service, legal and social aspects, and economic subsidies. The book will be of great interest to individuals who require a good overview of different technology that utilizes solar energy.

Bangladesh has made remar ...