Solar Power makes tiny village beam

I was intrigued when I saw this article, but then I read it and got confused.

Basically, it talks about how solar powered lamps were brought to this small, rural Indian town. It lists all sorts of things people could now do after dark, because of this innovative artificial light. Villagers could play music after dark, children could study will past sundown.

The article talked about how there was no electricity available and little water.

But it didn’t talk about why they didn’t have candles or other non-electric lamps. Perhaps the raw materials aren’t available, plentiful and/or affordable?

I guess I really need to get back to reading Guns, Germs and Steel.