Bob has been the executive director of the Solar Electric Light Fund (or SELF for short) since 1997. Under his leadership, SELF has installed over 650 solar energy systems in 25 countries, making it one of the world’s leading nongovernmental organizations that designs and implements solar energy-based solutions for those living without access to electricity. An early advocate of access to energy as being essential to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, he is widely considered an authority on the subject of energy poverty. During his tenure he has broadened SELF’s mission and vision to address the broader implications of energy poverty. In 2000, he developed the Whole Village Development Model, an innovative approach for using solar energy to help communities improve their health, education, food and water security, and economic development programs. In 2008, Bob received the King Hussein Leadership Award from Her Majesty Queen Noor.

Links______________________

SELF: https://www.self.org/Partner with SELF: https://www.self.org/partner-with-us/Bob's Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-freling

Timestamps

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0:00 - Introduction

1:12 - What is energy poverty and why is it important?

7:58 - Where is energy poverty most prevalent around the world?

11:08 - How much progress has been made with energy access over the past few decades

14:20 - What does life without electricity look like?

20:02 - What do people use at heat/light sources instead of electricity?

23:08 - The profound consequences of energy poverty

32:40 - Why can’t more communities be connected to the grid?

38:59 - What work does the Solar Electric Light Fund?

44:21 - What are the unexpected benefits of electrification?

47:36 - What is the road ahead for eliminating energy poverty and SELF?

53:20 - Final takeaways