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Renewable energy has been the cheaper option in remote areas for a while now, solar demand in Pakistan has skyrocted recently.

Solar powered water pumps and water purification has been a commodity and charity item since 2023 (that I recall) eg:

https://nrsp.org.pk/hand-operated-and-solar-powered-portable...

https://www.bondheshams.org/

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I read a piece about how abundant solar in rural Afghanistan strengthened the Taliban as poppy and therefore opium production skyrocketed because they were able to install electric wells.

interested in the article. would you like to share a link?

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-53450688

Here in W.Australia we've been using solar powered signal repeaters along rail lines and mesa tops since the mid 1970's in the Pilbara mining industry.

Solar powered bores for farms in the wheatbelt and cattle country has been a regular feature for over a decade now.

The panels and batteries are better than ever now, but they've been Total Cost break even better than fossil fuel alternatives in remote Australia for a very long time (esp. factoring in need to travel to a bore to refuel, etc. Vs "it just works" (until it doesn't, but all solutions require upkeep)).

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