There's an energy revolution happening in villages and towns across Africa -- off-grid solar energy is becoming a viable alternative to traditional electricity systems. In a bold talk about a true leapfrog moment, Amar Inamdar introduces us to proud owners of off-grid solar kits -- and explains how this technology has the opportunity to meet two extraordinary goals: energy access for all and a low-carbon future. "Every household a proud producer as well as consumer of energy," Inamdar says. "That's the democracy of energy." (Followed by a brief Q&A with TED Curator Chris Anderson) Check out more TED Talks: http://www.ted.com The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Follow TED on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/TEDTalks Like TED on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TED Subscribe to our channel: https://www.youtube.com/TED

Renewables require change in the energy supply chain. Subscribe to our channel! http://goo.gl/0bsAjO Electricity is incredibly difficult to store, so grid operators have to generate it at the exact moment it is demanded. In order to do this, they create incredibly accurate models of the total electric loads, that is how much energy will be consumed on a given day. But as utilities started to produce more energy from renewable sources like solar, the models started to shift as well. California researchers discovered a peculiarity in their state’s electric load curves, that started to look more and more like a duck. And that duck shaped chart highlights the greatest challenge to solar energy growth in the US. Vox writer David Roberts has been covering the issue for a few years now. You can read some of his past explainers on the duck curve, and its solutions at the links below: https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2018/3/20/17128478/solar-duck-curve-nrel-researcher https://www.vox.com/2016/2/10/10960848/solar-energy-duck-curve https://www.vox.com/2016/4/8/11376196/california-grid-expansion https://www.vox.com/2016/2/12/10970858/flattening-duck-curve-renewable-energy And if you would like to read some of the source material used in the video above, you can check those out here: https://www.caiso.com/documents/flexibleresourceshelprenewables_fastfacts.pdf https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy16osti/65023.pdf Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out http://www.vox.com. Watch our full video catalog: http://goo.gl/IZONyE Follow Vox on Facebook: http://goo.gl/U2g06o Or Twitter: http://goo.gl/XFrZ5H

View full lesson: http://ed.ted.com/lessons/why-aren-t-we-only-using-solar-power-alexandros-george-charalambides Solar power is cheaper and more sustainable than our current coal-fueled power plants, so why haven't we made the switch? The real culprits here are the clouds, which make solar power difficult to control. Alexandros George Charalambides explains how solar towers and panels create electricity and how scientists are trying to create a system that can function even under cloud cover. Lesson by Alexandros George Charalambides, animation by Ace & Son Moving Picture Co., LLC.

Solar Thermal technologies capture the heat energy from the sun and use it for heating and/or the production of electricity. Learn more about solar thermal and all types of energy at www.studentenergy.org -------- Student Energy is currently developing the Global Youth Energy Outlook, a global youth-led report that will engage 50,000 young people around the world in 2021 to gather their perspectives on energy. Want to take part? If you’re between 18-30, head to www.bit.ly/gyeo to complete the survey! You can win $100 cash prizes in each region, or a fully funded trip to the next International Student Energy Summit! Student Energy is a global youth-led organization empowering the next generation of leaders who are accelerating the transition to a sustainable, equitable energy future. We work with a network of 50,000 young people from over 120 countries to build the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to take action on energy. Learn more at www.studentenergy.org

Solar energy refers to technologies that convert the sun's heat or light to another form of energy for use. Learn more about solar energy and all types of energy at www.studentenergy.org -------- Student Energy is currently developing the Global Youth Energy Outlook, a global youth-led report that will engage 50,000 young people around the world in 2021 to gather their perspectives on energy. Want to take part? If you’re between 18-30, head to www.bit.ly/gyeo to complete the survey! You can win $100 cash prizes in each region, or a fully funded trip to the next International Student Energy Summit! Student Energy is a global youth-led organization empowering the next generation of leaders who are accelerating the transition to a sustainable, equitable energy future. We work with a network of 50,000 young people from over 120 countries to build the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to take action on energy. Learn more at www.studentenergy.org

View full lesson: https://ed.ted.com/lessons/how-do-solar-panels-work-richard-komp The Earth intercepts a lot of solar power: 173,000 terawatts. That’s 10,000 times more power than the planet’s population uses. So is it possible that one day the world could be completely reliant on solar energy? Richard Komp examines how solar panels convert solar energy to electrical energy. Lesson by Richard Komp, animation by Globizco.

Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology converts the sun’s energy into direct current electricity by using semiconductors. Learn more about Solar PV and all types of energy at www.studentenergy.org -------- Student Energy is currently developing the Global Youth Energy Outlook, a global youth-led report that will engage 50,000 young people around the world in 2021 to gather their perspectives on energy. Want to take part? If you’re between 18-30, head to www.bit.ly/gyeo to complete the survey! You can win $100 cash prizes in each region, or a fully funded trip to the next International Student Energy Summit! Student Energy is a global youth-led organization empowering the next generation of leaders who are accelerating the transition to a sustainable, equitable energy future. We work with a network of 50,000 young people from over 120 countries to build the knowledge, skills, and networks they need to take action on energy. Learn more at www.studentenergy.org