"A new IFC study shows there is significant potential for distributed solar solutions in the commercial and industrial sectors in Myanmar, presenting businesses an opportunity to bring down their power costs, as well as their climate impacts, according to a press release. The Myanmar Distributed Generation Scoping Study estimates there are more than 700 megawatts worth of potential commercial and industrial solar projects in the country, equivalent to around 10 percent of the existing electric power generating capacity in the country. And it says solar is now cost competitive with other sources of electricity for many commercial and industrial businesses, providing a viable addition to help diversify Myanmar’s sustainable energy mix. Myanmar needs to provide electricity to more than half of its population who are not connected to the national electricity grid and lack reliable electricity. Power outages are still common. Access to reliable electricity is a key challenge for businesses which are forced to rely on expensive costly, polluting backup diesel generators. The study found that businesses were getting an average of around 10 percent of their power from diesel due to frequent power cuts..."