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https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/chinese-monks-get-electricity-for-the-first-time-thanks-to-solar>
"YUNNAN, China – It takes three hours of hiking along rock stairs and muddy
walkways to reach Boluo Temple in the Chinese city of Dali where, by some
accounts, monks have lived since as early as the Tang Dynasty.
For more than a thousand years, devout inhabitants of the temple have practised
their beliefs in the prayer hall near the mountain peak, collected water from
snow-melt and sourced nearly all of their heating needs by burning fallen
branches. At least until recently.
In the past few years, the centuries-old temple for the first time gained
access to electricity – not from the country’s grid, but thanks to solar panels
installed in its backyard.
“We never bought electric appliances before; we cooked and boiled water using
firewood,” said Ming Jing, a 32-year-old junior monk at the temple. “This is a
great improvement (in terms of) convenience for our lives here.”
China has spent billions of dollars on connecting its entire population –
including the most rural villages – to its mega grid system. However, in
far-flung locations where grid access is not possible, solar panels have become
the only choice for electricity.
With 10 panels connected to a battery box about as large as a medium-sized
checked-luggage bag, the system at Boluo Temple provides power for the daily
needs of Ming Jing and the head monk, as well as a ginger cat named Flower.
They now own a few small electronic devices – a water boiler, an induction
cooker and a space heater."
Via Frederick Wilson II.
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
