The Potential of Solar Energy for Sustainable Water Resource Development and Averting National Social Burden in Rural Areas of Zambia

Abstract

Abstract 
About 50% of the Zambia’s population in the rural areas do not have access to an improved source of water 
supply, thus relies on untreated water from shallow wells, streams and rivers for drinking and other activities. The 
lack of access to clean water is associated with water related illnesses and other negative social impacts. This 
paper aimed to propose use of solar energy in water pumping systems for water supply in rural areas of Zambia. 
The information used is from secondary sources.Use of the solar energy in water pumping system is not only an 
important part of providing household with clean drinking water alternative, but also important for access to an 
improved source of water supply for rural households and sustainable water resource development in Zambia. The 
paper further investigates the potential of using solar energy in water pumping system to avert the nation’s disease 
burden and its sustainability using number of employment created as indicator. The analyzed results indicate that 
the use of solar energy in water pumping systems have the potential of reducing the Zambia’s social cost burden by 
30% which translate to about US$61million saving per year and can create employment of about 24,000 in 
Zambia. 
country.