There's more than one way to become energy independent and go
off the grid. In the first week of November, residents of a
three-island Pacific nation were slated to switch over to a
system that produces electricity from solar power and biofuel
derived from coconuts. Tokelau, a place north of Samoa
administered as a region of New Zealand, is expected to generate
more than 100 percent of its electricity needs from sustainable
sources. Its 1,411 citizens reside in the Atafu, Nukunonu, and
Fakaofo atolls, which cover more than 10 square kilometers
combined. The government of Tokelau decided in 2004 to increase
energy efficiency and independence by focusing on renewable
sources, in part to defray the high costs of importing diesel
for generators. Residents of Tokelau will get all their
electricity from solar power and coconut-derived biofuel. Shown
here is the solar energy installation on the atoll of Nukunonu.
The Tokelau Renewable Energy Project, funded by New Zealand Aid,
consists of three separate electrical s