By Mariella Moon, Tecca The island territory Tokelau of New
Zealand might not have its own Star Wars coins like fellow
island Niue, but it’s also getting a dose of global attention,
although for an entirely different reason. The island’s leader,
Foua Toloa, just announced a new energy policy that will power
the island completely with sunlight and coconuts. And like many
island nations, Tokelau has an abundance of both. Right now,
solar energy already powers a few houses and buildings on the
three atolls of Tokelau. But most of the island nation still
relies on fossil fuel, with each atoll needing up to 200 liters
a day. Tokelau plans to transition to pure renewable energy by
mid-2012. That entails installing approximately 200 square
meters of solar cells on each atoll in order to meet its goal of
relying on sunlight for 93% of its energy needs. Tokelau plans
to get the remaining 7% of its energy needs from coconut
biofuel, which is reserved for use during overcast days.
According to a feasibility study, 200 c