Nomads go solar

Energy form: Hybrid-hydropower
Project goal: Providing electricity for 5,000 people in 1,200 households
Project size: 760,000 euros ($953,000) in building costs
Carbon savings: 525 tons per year

Mongolia's energy needs are mounting and the Central Asian country faces a major electricity shortage by 2012. So far, the government has relied on coal and diesel but clean sources of energy are becoming increasingly popular, with rural Mongolia leading the way. With the help of Germany's GTZ aid group, more and more nomads are using solar energy and have access to small hydropower plants. It's become a model for the entire country.

A film by Philipp Bilsky