Companies take Twende Solar’s Photovoltaic Oath to provide renewable energy to communities in need

With nearly 1 billion people around the globe lacking access to basic electricity, nonprofit Twende Solar is teaming up with solar industry partners to power schools, medical facilities and communities with solar electricity.

Manufacturer Unirac joins solar contractors Elemental Energy and SunPower by Milholland Electric in taking Twende Solar’s Photovoltaic Oath, committing to use their expertise and resources to help further Twende’s mission to empower energy-deficient communities by implementing renewable energy systems worldwide.

“Unirac is excited about our partnership with Twende Solar. Their mission aligns with our core values and makes it possible for us to positively impact the lives of less fortunate individuals in a meaningful way,” states Peter Lorenz, President and CEO of Unirac.

Twende Solar is a Portland-based nonprofit that was founded by solar industry professionals in 2015 after founders and business partners John Grieser and Brandon Little saw NGOs struggle to implement well-designed, high-quality and long-lasting solar installations to power their development work. Grieser describes the genesis of Twende Solar and the Photovoltaic Oath in terms similar to a doctor’s Hippocratic oath: “It’s this responsibility that if you have this skill set and knowledge and you find yourself in a situation in which you can help others you have this oath of responsibility to do so.”

Since the beginning of 2019, this budding collaboration has electrified the Peruvian village of Mushuk Lamas and two schools sponsored by Educate Haiti serving nearly 500 students in rural Durissy. With several more empowering projects on the horizon, these companies are providing both physical and financial resources to help Twende further sustainable development worldwide. Through Twende’s Save a Watt, Give a Watt program, Elemental and Milholland partner with their customers to offer discounts on a PV system installation for customers that elect to donate to Twende Solar.

Brian Milholland of SunPower by Milholland formally joined forces with Twende after his volunteer experience on an install in Peru: “As a proud new Board Member of Twende Solar, I am happy to announce our continued support for the organization and its ongoing efforts to bring clean and reliable energy systems to underserved populations.”

With daily news reports covering the climate crisis, Twende’s vision for a world where sustainable energy for all is achievable is an urgent call for collective action from the solar industry and renewable energy supporters. Grieser explains, “Photovoltaic means solar electricity. All of us who are trained industry professionals, I feel we have a responsibility to take our enabling technologies to those in need and provide them with electricity.”

If you would like to take the PV oath to help support access to electricity, please reach out to Twende Solar at twendesolar.org.

News item from Twende Solar