Solar lamps and water filters for households in IndiaIn this project, water filters and solar lamps replace wood fires and paraffin lamps in India. As these more energy-efficient products are often too expensive for local people, the project awards Microenergy Credits (MECs) to small companies and makes water filters and solar lamps affordable. This strengthens local entrepreneurship and families can afford more energy-efficient products.
Not only does this reduce emissions, but families also save money on fuel and are less exposed to harmful smoke. Many households also save time, as the time-consuming collection of wood is reduced or even eliminated.
How Microenergy Credits (MECs) projects contribute to climate actionMicroenergy Credits projects grant small loans and enable families in India to afford energy-efficient products such as improved cookstoves, solar lights, and water filters.
The projects incorporate one or more of these technologies and go even beyond climate action: Improved cookstoves make better use of the energy supplied and reduce the smoke produced when cooking over an open fire. A similar problem exists when households do not have access to clean drinking water, as the water must be boiled over an open fire first before it can be used without hesitation. Remedies include for example water filters, or access to groundwater from wells. In addition, solar lights help to illuminate the rooms and replace kerosene lamps, which are a frequent cause of fire accidents. MEC projects in the ClimatePartner portfolio are registered with international standards.
