CHAPTER II - GENERAL INFORMATION ON SOLAR ENERGY ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Abstract

This chapter presents general information on solar energy activities and provides an overview of the history of solar energy activities in developing countries. The first description of solar energy activities in any of the present developing countries goes back to prehistoric times. On clay tablets in Mesopotamia, descriptions have been found of temple priestesses using polished golden vessels to ignite altar fires by means of the sun. The chapter presents a survey of institutions in developed countries, which are concerned with solar activities that may be of interest for the developing countries. France is probably that industrialized country in which most solar R&D work of interest for developing countries is being undertaken and disseminated. The reasons for this are that the southern parts of the country have subtropical climate and that France has maintained friendly economic connections with most of its former colonies. There are a great number of universities and other institutions in France working on solar energy applications of relevance for the developing countries.