I need some feedback from the Green Community on this idea: Microfinance for energy efficiency?
Posted by admin on Mar 18, 2009
I need some feedback from the Green Community on this idea: Microfinance for energy efficiency.
Microfinance is huge now. Kiva.org is extremely popular and growing.
What if we could reapply this web based microfinance system towards energy efficiency projects.
The projects that would be funded would be like:
1) A 2yr loan to replace refigirators at a senior citizen home
2) A 6month loan to repalce all the old lightbulbs at schools
3) A 1.5yr loan to replace the furnace at a school
Users would select which loans they want to fund on a website and would be repaid the principle over the load period. 100% of the loan would go directly to the project (nothing for overhead). When the load is repaid, the lenders would be free to reloan if they like or withdraw their funds.
The projects would all be energy efficiency projects in the US to start off with but may expand to renewable energy project later on.
Would this be something that you would be a part of?
If they are interest-free loans, I think it is a great idea.
In the countries other than US, particularly Third World and developing countries, there is a lot more than this, what may be done by Micro financing. For example, in the tropical countries, where sunshine is available for more the 300 days a year, we may install Solar Energy through Micro financing. The electrical distribution and domestic wiring still needs to be improved. The power Plants may be improved to be more efficient………But I can not comment about you ideas in USA. As I Do not live there.
References :
If they are interest-free loans, I think it is a great idea.
References :