Difficulties in implementing new energy technology in developing nations

Implementing technology in developing countries is an interesting engineering task. One of the biggest challenges, in my mind, is the infastructure is not adequate. Especially in the region that Dr. Jean Paul Allain is working in. the simple fact is this region cannot sustain the type of grid that we use here in the U.S. The mountains, swampy lake regions, and the rainforests make it difficult and impractical to construct power lines. Dr. Allain's team is inputing solar panels to each town and hooking the electricity up in those means. Not only does this take up space, it is expensive. After the problem of getting electricity to the town is solve, are the buildings in the town adequate to harness and use electricity? Here we have wiring, outlets, fuses, and all kinds of regulated material that can be a large fire hazard if it is not contained correctly. The next issue that needs to be accounted for is figuring out how the people that will use it will respond to what you are trying to do. The solution needs to be consistent with the indigenious culture. While Dr. Allain was talking about all of the lakes and water in Columbia, I was thinking that this water can be harnessed and converted to electricity with hydroelectric power. Then he brought that up and when we discussed it I noticed that I had not even thought of the ecological effects this kind of solution would have.