Programs: Solar Electric Light Fund
Facts
Announced:
January 7, 2011
Category:
Promoting Job Growth & Economic Opportunity
Grant Amount: $500,000
Grant Objective:
To electrify the off-grid central highlands village of Boucan-Carré.
Haiti suffers from energy poverty. Even before the earthquake, only an estimated 25% of the population was connected to the electric grid, and access to electricity was susceptible to frequent failures. Reliable sources of electricity would have a positive impact on a variety of sectors including MSMEs, health care, agriculture, and education.
The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund's partnership with SELF/NRG aims to promote sustainable energy production by using solar energy as a viable source of power in the village of Boucan-Carré. SELF has already installed and maintains a photovoltaic solar array that powers the village's local health clinic run by Partners In Health.
By tackling the key issue of Haiti's chronic energy poverty, this project could have a significant demonstration effect, creating a model of clean energy production that is cost-effective in the long-term. By providing a reliable power source, this project is in line with the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund's commitment to promote job growth and economic opportunity in Haiti.
Why We Invested in the Solar Electric Light Fund
By tackling the lack of energy access that has held back Haiti's institutions and businesses, Clinton Bush Haiti Fund's grant to S.E.L.F. reflects our commitment to creating economic opportunity and promoting job growth.
Transforming Lives and Livelihoods
With funding commitments from the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund and NRG, SELF plans to:
- Create additional installations utilizing solar energy to power businesses, schools, hospitals, government institutions, and community lighting.
- Help the citizens of Boucan-Carré become self-reliant in food production by promoting solar energy-powered drip irrigation, solar market gardens, and a fish farm.
- Demonstrate a model of clean energy production that is cost-effective in the long-term.
About The Solar Electric Light Fund
Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF, a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) committed to rural electrification) and NRG Energy Inc. (NRG, a U.S.-based, for-profit utility holding company) are working together to use solar energy to electrify the off-grid central highlands village of Boucan-Carré. NRG committed $1M at CGI 2010 to a "whole village" solar electrification project called "The Sun Lights the Way: Brightening Boucan-Carré."
