The poor neighborhoods of Cairo are harnessing the power of the sun and microbes to find new sources of energy in the city. Since 2003, Thomas “T.H.” Culhane, an urban planner and NG Emerging Explorer has been working on these projects with a nonprofit called Solar CITIES.

Using simple materials and waste from kitchens, he and Solar CITIES have installed 34 solar water heating systems and five biogas reactors to help residents get clean energy in their homes.

(Pictured: Solar CITIES project leader T.H. Culhane (right) and
organization intern Omar Nagy stand next to a solar-powered water
heater.)

Learn more about the Solar CITIES project on National Geographic News.

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