Brighten Haiti, a 501c3 nonprofit founded by former Heliene sales manager Kevin Keene, will install solar systems on 109 schools in rural Haiti, beginning in January 2022. Each rural school will receive a 6-kW solar PV system, providing enough off-grid power for computer labs, lights, fans and additional devices.
In light of the 7.2 earthquake, followed closely by tropical storm Grace, that hit an already vulnerable Haiti, the need for rural off-grid solar systems has come into even more stark relief. A PV system on a local school can provide the surrounding area with a source of electricity when an area is cut off by disaster.
In 2019, prior to founding Brighten Haiti, Keene helped install solar at a rural school in Durissy, bringing electricity to the school for the first time.
“We have been able to make contact with people in the Durissy area after the earthquake. The bridge to their area is out. Thankfully they have access to independent electricity for lighting and refrigeration,” Keene said. “It shows us just how important these systems are beyond the impressive impacts to education.”
Brighten Haiti has created a bridge between areas in need in Haiti and the U.S. solar industry. Through the organization’s Solar Re-USE program and partnerships with the solar supply chain, paired with Brighten Haiti’s successful solar apprenticeships, the organization is able to provide both training and significantly reduced cost solar PV systems to schools.
“I’m thrilled that we have found a way to install PV systems for schools in Haiti at a fifth the typical cost. The generosity of our solar partners has made it possible to install a 6-kW off-grid system for about $6,000, where we would normally see that same system installed at about $30,000. That’s $1 per watt, installed. And we are able to provide installation training giving people access to solar jobs after the training is complete,” Keene said.
To date, Brighten Haiti has worked with several U.S. solar companies to ship nearly 4,000 PV modules to Haiti. However, the need for solar equipment far outstrips what has been donated to Brighten Haiti. To meet the organization’s ambitious goal of 109 solar systems, Brighten Haiti is actively looking for additional resources and partners to procure solar modules and balance of system equipment at 75% of normal pricing. Business and individuals can get involved by donating equipment or by sponsoring one or more schools. For more information, or to sponsor a school, interested parties can reach out: brightenhaiti.org.
Hello;
we are looking to install a solar system in Haiti for our school. We are looking for help to see how this can be done. Our organization’s name is building Life for Haiti. blff.org. Thank you very much.
Jude Fabius
Hi Kelly!
My name is Pat Eckert and our Haiti Ministry from the Catholic Community of Jeffersonville, Indiana have supported St Raphael, our sister parish, for a very long time. They have a huge church which has a very large metal roof that is in need of replacement. I have researched for the last couple of years about transforming their roof into a solar roof in Haiti. I have a complete take off of the roof. Is there any way you can put us in touch with the right people to start a conversation of if we help can we join a group that has boots on the group to install such a project successfully. There are 2 schools associated with this parish. Several years ago we built restrooms for the schools but that was before all the unrest. St Raphael has thousands of followers and even though much much sorry lands on their should, their faith and hope continues on continuously. Previously we installed a few solar panels but they are currently not working I being told. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.
God Bless,
Pat Eckert
Haiti Ministry Committee
Catholic Community of Jeffersonville, IN