Clinton Initiative, NRG install solar in Haiti

Clinton Initiative, NRG install solar in HaitiA little over two years ago, things changed drastically for Haiti when the country, already impoverished, experienced a devastating earthquake.

The earthquake brought in huge amounts of humanitarian aid, which included $1 million in aid from the Clinton Global Initiative through NRG Energy to install solar at specific locations.

And they’ve now completed the first two of more than 20 planned projects.

Former President Bill Clinton and David Crane CEO NRG Energy toured the facilities on March 7 to view the progress that’s thus far been made through NRG’s campaign, The Sun Lights the Way: Brightening Boucan Carré.

Under the project, 20 schools, two fish farms, a drip irrigation system for farming and two micro enterprise centers supporting local businesses in the region will receive PV arrays, according to NRG.

“All are localized, self-contained systems,” said NRG spokesperson Lori Neuman.

That’s partly because Haiti doesn’t have the grid infrastructure that’s enjoyed in more developed countries like the U.S. or Europe. So localized systems make sense.

The first system completed under the project was a 14 kilowatt PV array at the Lashto Fish Farm, which is operated by Caribbean Harvest.

The array powers the filtration system at the fish farm, which raises tilapia for the region. It includes a battery backup so it can operate around the clock on solar power. The farm uses all the power provided by the array, according to Neuman.

The second project completed was at the Bon Berger du Domond School. The school now has a 2.8-kilowatt PV array and battery backup. It was built through a Digicel Foundation donation, according to NRG.

The system powers lights, computers and an electric piano. The school now serves additional functions like offering adult literacy and serving as a community center at night.

More of the projects will start providing power this year, according to Neuman.

“By the end of the second quarter, we expect another fish farm to be powered by solar electricity for its filtration and pump systems,” she said.

The projects are being done through a partnership with the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), which is working to install solar projects in developing nations.

The Clinton Bush Haiti Fund made an additional $500,000 donation to that organization to support its efforts as well.