Since solar power has been introduced to An Binh island, Ly Son district, in Quang Ngai province, An Binh residents have had better living conditions as they can use more home utensils essential to their life. The island has long hours of sunlight all year round, so An Binh power plant has installed additional 300 crystalized solar panels, capable of generating 100kWh. After one year of commission, solar power panels have shown they helped reduce power cost for the customers as compared to diesel-based power generators.

Earlier, An Binh islanders only used electricity in a few fixed hours a day.

Now, diesel-run generators and solar power together enable more than 100 households in the island to have stable power input.

Local peop✃le can purchase more hou🍃sehold appliances to save labour and improve their production as well as business.

Nguyen Thi Thanh, Resident in An Binh commune, Ly Son district, Quang Ngai province: "Back then, unstable electricity source made our life uncomfortable. Now, solar power made our life comfortable. We are able to buy fridges, TV sets, and develop our homestay business." Those involved in catering services in the island are very happy with solar power supply. They bought high-capacity fridges to store fresh seafood to serve tourists. Huynh Luy, provincial Party Committee Secretary of An Binh commune, Ly Son district, Quang Ngai province: "Since solar power arrived here, residents are happy as their basic needs are met. Moreover, the tourism has skyrocketed as many visitors stayed overnight instead of leaving after just one day."

Stable electricity supply also means that average income increases.

The average income of An Binh residents reached 21 million VND for the first time in 2017.

With better living conditions and improved infrastructure, it is no doubt that⛎ the income will continue going up in the near fu🅠ture.-VNA