When compared with alternative power sources – including hand pumps, an electrical grid connection, or generator power – solar power is the best overall choice in many situations.

A majority of the advantages of solar-power water pumping fall into the following four categories:

1. Economic Advantages:

Unprecedented lockdown measures enacted to contain the spread of the coronavirus have resulted in supply chain disruptions and a massive drop in demand in most sectors.

To continue playing their crucial role in creating decent jobs and improving livelihoods, small businesses depend more than ever on an enabling business environment, including support for access to finance, information, and markets.

Let's not forget that these enterprises, which generally employ fewer than 250 persons, are the backbone of most economies worldwide and play a key role in developing countries.

According to the data provided by the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), formal and informal Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) make up over 90% of all firms and account, on average, for 70% of total employment and 50% of GDP.

That is why the General Assembly declared 27 June Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, to raise public awareness of their contribution to sustainable development and the global economy.

Explore this infostory to discover the full potential of the MSMEs in securing a better future of work of everyone.

MSME Day 2020 - COVID-19: The Great Lockdown and its impact on Small Business

These types of enterprises are responsible for significant employment and income generation opportunities across the world and have been identified as a major driver of poverty alleviation and development.

MSMEs tend to employ a larger share of the vulnerable sectors of the workforce, such as women, youth, and people from poorer households - populations with high vulnerability in times of COVID-19. MSMEs can sometimes be the only source of employment in rural areas. 

As such, MSMEs as a group are the main income provider for income distribution at the “base of the pyramid”.

So on June 3, which has been marked as World Bicycle Day, we take a look at the founding and significance of the day and how we can celebrate it.

First of all, this is the third anniversary of World Bicycle Day, which was declared by the United Nations General Assembly on April 2018. The idea behind it is to recognise the longevity, uniqueness and versatility of the bicycle, and that it is an affordable, reliable, simple, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport.

Founding of World Bicycle Day:

It all began when Professor Leszek Sibilski of the US and his Sociology class led a grassroots campaign to promote a UN Resolution to designate a day that would celebrate and promote the use of the bicycle around the world. The campaign grew, and the resolution was sponsored by Turkmenistan and co-sponsored by 56 countries.

A #June3WorldBicycleDay logo was designed by Isaac Feld and an accompanying animation, which depicts bicyclists of various types riding around the globe, was created by Professor John E. Swanson. The main message behind it was to show that the bicycle is for all and that it serves all of humanity. The two are also behind the creation of the current blue and white logo and animation.

Significance of World Bicycle Day:

The significance behind World Bicycle Day is that it is a global holiday that is meant to be enjoyed by all. The idea for the day is to motivate and inspire people towards having more tolerance, understanding and respect for one another. The other thing is that the bicycle signifies a more sustainable means of transport that is not only good for people but for the environment and the economy too.

How World Bicycle Day is Celebrated:

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, there will not be any huge public gatherings as there have been in the past two years where people have gathered for rallies. Usually, people would join others on a bicycle ride around town and hold other events that would involve bicycles. Since social distancing is going on, people can take go for rides on their own instead of taking their cars.

In addition to being beneficial for the environment (especially when compared to systems powered by generators), solar-powered pumps are sustainable for the communities that operate them. With over 200 solar-powered systems installed, Nakiso Borehole Drilling has experienced a very low failure rate. 

We have also seen a reduction of overall lifecycle costs when compared to drilled boreholes fitted with hand pumps that are designed for equivalent service areas and lifespans.

Advantages of Solar-Power Pumping:

When compared with alternative power sources – including hand pumps, an electrical grid connection, or generator power – solar power is the best overall choice in many situations.

A majority of the advantages of solar-power water pumping fall into the following four categories:

1. Serve more people. Higher flow and head capacity than hand pumps mean that solar pumping can serve more people in less time significantly reducing queuing times.

2. Treat, store, and distribute water. Water can be treated and stored in elevated tanks which means that water can be provided where end users are able to access it easily.

3. Provide high levels of service in remote areas. Solar pumps can operate in remote off-grid areas without access to electrical grid power. Additionally, solar pumps provide quantity, accessibility, and reliability that’s equal to (if not greater than) traditional AC powered pumps.

4. Minimize operation & maintenance costs. Very little capital maintenance is required and most solar pumps continue to function for 10+ years. Plus, solar-powered systems are not difficult to operate and training only takes a few weeks.

Where Are Solar-Power Water Systems Most Effective?

Solar-powered water systems are traditionally associated with rural towns, but continued advances in the technology mean that these systems can operate effectively in an ever-increasing variety of climates and locales.