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Visiting CITA and talking to its staff helped to clarify what the purpose
of
the centre is, and what it is not. The use of the word 'appropriate' in
the
name of the centre is not a trivial choice of words. The predominant
reason why the use of such
technology as solar PV panels is contemplated is
economics.
At the
present the use of PV technology for the generation of electricity
for use in
urban communities is hopelessly uneconomic. It is only because
the capital cost
of the wire, pylons and transformers of a mains
electricity distribution system
to these remote locations is even more
uneconomic than PV cells and suchlike
that the latter is a viable option.
The CITA centre itself is very close to a
major city, and has a
conventional mains supply for its operations. In the
office of the centre
the secretary uses a computer, including on-line access to
the internet.
The office has mains powered air conditioning. In the context of
its
function and location this is the appropriate technology for the
centre
itself to use. Notwithstanding this motive of economic necessity,
the research
and application of the technology implemented by CITA is
generally environmentally benign.
The distinction between appropriate technology - using the best technology
for
a given purpose in a given set of circumstances, and alternative
technology -
using non-conventional technology regardless of the
scientific, logistical or
economic applicability, is crucial. However,
assuming the trends for price
reduction in PV cells continues at the same
pace it has for the last thirty
years, they will eventually become
economically viable for much wider
application. This will probably happem
in a few decades. The problem of
economically storing the energy for use
when the sun is not shining is a
separate question.
Cuba already makes use of some alternative sources of fuel. The use of
bagasse
to fuel both refining plant and goods steam trains carrying sugar
to port is
widespread. Cuba's use of technology in agriculture has
transformed working
conditions in the countryside dramatically for the
better. As Fidel Castro
points out [3]: "The ox-cart drivers had to be in
the fields by two in the
morning to start loading the cane by hand. ...
Working conditions in the fields
forced the agricultural workers to engage
for twelve, thirteen, fourteen hours
in rugged, hard work at a fast pace.
All those conditions changed with the
revolution ... Work was humanized
...".
Practically inevitably some of the technology that is used by the centre
in
their projects needs to be imported from other countries. This is not
to say
that Cuba could not be a world leader in some areas of technology,
indeed it
is, especially in pharmacology. The PV panels are made in Cuba.
It is
nevertheless economically unrealistic, and
undesirable, for any one country to be
completely technologically self-sufficient [1].
Some prices for the technology that CITA needs to import for its clients are
as
follows:-
PV panels cost $4/Watt of peak power. This increases to $10/watt
installed,
when a battery backup is needed. In the case of a waterpump a
battery is not
needed because the pump can work when the sun shines and
stop when it doesn't,
the water tank acting as the buffer. In effect the
water tank assumes the role
of the battery, but much more cost
effectively.
In conclusion CITA is implementing, at a rate limited only by the
availability
of funding, developments in appropriate technology and
applying them to over
half a million people. This leads to substantial
positive environmental impact
and both material benefit to, and solidarity
with, Cuba's rural workers and
farmers.
CITA website
(In Spanish) -
References
[1] Charles Edquist, 'Capitalism Socialism and Technology: a comparative
study
of Cuba and Jamaica' p 164 to 165, Zed Books Ltd, 1985, ISBN
0-86232-394-0
(currently out of print)
[2] 'Che Guevara Talks to Young People' p 96, Pathfinder Press, 2000,
ISBN
0-87348-911-X
[3] 'Fidel Castro Speeches Vol. II - Our Power is that of the Working People'
p
266 (1983 edition), Pathfinder Press, 1983, ISBN 0-87348-650-1
www.pathfinderpress.com
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