JAN 22

The people of Haiti are facing a long and difficult road to recovery.  Their power infrastructure has been demolished and fuel for generators and cooking is scarce, but they do have one thing on their side:  abundant sunshine.  Many solar power companies and non-profits are focusing on that resource and bringing solar-powered equipment capable of providing essential needs like drinkable water, cooking surfaces and mobile phones to the Haitian people.

Some of the organizations providing solar-powered relief include:

Sun Ovens International - delivering hundreds of solar-powered ovens capable of making 1,200 meals in eight hours to homeless camps.

Worldwater & Solar Technologies - donated a 22 kW array that is running a boarding school for 350 kids and a solar-powered mobile water purification system that is pumping out 30,000 gallons of clean water daily at a Red Cross aid station.

Digicel - donating 1,000 solar mobile phones to keep lines of communication open during the crisis.

Sol Inc. - contributing 100 solar-powered streetlights that can be installed in less than an hour, stay lit all night and stand up to hurricane-force winds.

We often think about renewable energy as the thing that will save us in the long term, but it's important to see how powerful of a savior it can be in the short term as well.

via MSNBC

Comments (14)

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Great point....
written by Dan Boise, January 22, 2010

Despite going through rough times lately, they can at least use the sun for power purposes during these diffcult times. Which could help them get somewhat back on their feet faster than an area where it rains most of the time.

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water
written by sarah, January 22, 2010

why not more water pyramids while they're at it if what people need more then anything first is drinkable water!

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written by Jess @OpenlyBalanced, January 22, 2010

Micro-solar and micro-hydro have such potential, both in crises like this, and in developing countries where there is not existing utilities infrastructure (and the associated vested interest) to contend with. It would be great if this good thing could come out of such a terrible tragedy.

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Light Haiti
written by gmoke, January 22, 2010

Light Haiti https://www.lighthaiti.org/ is sending solar LED lights to Haiti.

There are at least two Haitian groups doing solar as a cottage industry: Enersa and Pasiance de Paypay. Richard Komp of Maine Solar Energy Association has been working with both and is collecting materials for Enersa now.

He can be reached through http://www.skyheat.org

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The self promotion of non-profits and charities in Haiti is disgusting, Low-rated comment [Show]

Wow
written by Karl, January 23, 2010

This is exactly what I want to do with my energy engineering degree. Why wait until it's too late though, why not provide these things to developing nations via NGOs? A few thousand dollars to power a town and purify water should be nothing for a corporation or major philanthropic organization.

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written by Christina, January 24, 2010

This is really a good thing taking advantage of what we have, we only not save the Haiti people but we also save the earth. I hope we adapt this practice if we could afford to...let's go solar..

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written by Andy, January 25, 2010

I really think this will benefit Haiti in the long run. Not only is it giving them a way to become self sustaining, it will provide them with new technology that they desperately need. I think this will also advance our solar technology by observing how it is working for the Haitian people.

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Awesome
written by andrew, January 25, 2010

Glad to see that some of the products provide immediate aid and can serve long term benefits. And poodle, get off your soapbox. A lot of these companies are doing good down there. Solar street lights ARE immediate and long term aid to the area and I am proud to see companies step up!

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written by Carvel, January 25, 2010

It is a great idea to rebuild this county in a green manner but I think at this moment people there care less about the long term consequences but more on what they will eat tomorrow.

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written by Fr. Peter, January 26, 2010

The technology is there to be used for the good of all.

The doctors in the hospitals need communications, the people need to eat cooked food as cooking kills off bugs, pure water is at a premium, there are no street lights after sundown as there is no power and fuel for generators is scarce.

Solar power plays a major part in solving all the above problems and as for 'Poodles' comment, I am sorry that the above is seen in a negative way. I am sure that help in any way, shape or form is welcomed by those that have lost everything.

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written by Timetrvlr, January 26, 2010

Click on the above link for Sun Ovens International. Consider making a donation to Friends of Haiti Organization to purchase more Sun Ovens. 100% of the donation will go directly to sending Sun Ovens to Haiti; no administrative expenses will be deducted.

Did you know that up to 55% of the average Haitians income is spent on expensive charcoal for cooking fuel? Sun ovens can save their precious family resources and preserve the environment.

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Unique Opportunities in Haiti after Disaster
written by Carol, January 30, 2010

The people of Haiti should take advantage of as many new technologies as they can to build themselves a safe and sustainable ecosystem and living environment following this disaster. Clearly "business as usual" is not an option in Haiti any more. These renewable energy sources, with the addition of wind power on the north coast, could bring this country into the 21st century directly from the late 19th... and give all the people of this brutalized land a chance at education, health and prosperity at last.

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Great Work Thus Far
written by Patrick, September 29, 2010

I understand it is still very early in the rebuilding process, but distributed power and water systems may be just what Haiti needs to get back on its feet while the infrastructure is rebuilt. Also, it is good to see attention to efficiency. Hopefully in due time, Haiti will emerge far stronger than it was before the disaster.

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