Being off the grid does not mean being powerless
(WorldNews Environment)

In other villages, micro-hydro plants have allowed schools to introduce computers, improving attendance by students and the quality of their learning. One village set up an FM radio station, providing news and entertainment. Others are pumping water to irrigate fallow lands, resulting in dramatic increases in income through production of high value crops like beans and garlic. Small businesses have sprung up to provide services such as photocopying and electronics repair. The combined efforts of the people, Government and development partners have now led to the installation of more than 2,500 micro-hydro plants across rural Nepal. They provide electricity to 300,000 households, and have...