ANSOLE

African Network for Solar Energy. or a very long time, much of the world's energy requirements have been met by digging oil wells and mine shafts, and plundering the Earth's resources, regardless of the resulting detrimental environmental effects. It is vital that we think ahead and find alternative, sustainable sources of energy that will cause less harm to our planet. The potential of renewable energy is huge and the African continent is blessed with an abundance of sunlight. The Sahara alone can generate enough electricity to satisfy the energy demands of Africa and Europe, provided in-depth knowledge and research is applied, and a robust infrastructure is put in place to trap, store, distribute, maintain and use this renewable source of energy. With foresight, determination, dedication and commitment, we can establish a long-term supply of energy on economies of scale and scope. As scientists, we are determined to conduct research that has immediate practical applications by opening and broadening the energy agenda and by systematically incorporating renewable energies. It is argued that there is still an abundance of fossil fuel and it will not face depletion in the immediate future. However, if we wish to protect our environment for future generations it is imperative that we identify and develop sustainable energy sources, and that is where solar energy and other forms of renewable energies play a huge role, especially if we wish to future-proof our planet. We believe that the dearth or abundance of fossil fuels is irrelevant. It is the fact that as many sources of alternative energy with less damaging impact on the environment as possible must be actively researched, developed and used. It is because solar energy has an unlimited and indefinite supply potential and can be harnessed with a less negative impact on the environment that both research that involves all the stakeholders and production with economies of scale is critical, brooking no further dela