NRG Energy completes first two solar energy projects with the Clinton Foundation in Haiti

Mar 22, 2012 - Anne Zimmermann - pv-tech.org

Former president Bill Clinton and NRG Energy's president David Crane visited Haiti to examine the progress of the solar power installations built in partnership with the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF). NRG invested US$1 million through the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), with the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund adding an additional US$500,000 to the investment in several projects in Haiti's Central Plateau.

The projects include the Lashto Fish Farm, which uses 63 PV panels (14,490W) and a battery system to provide 24/7 power under normal weather conditions and the Bon Berger du Domond School, which uses 12 PV panels (2,760W) and a backup battery system to power lights, computers and an electric piano, enabling the school to teach adult literacy classes and serve as a community centre at night.

"Solar power makes absolutely perfect sense in a country that suffers from low electrification rates, high dependency on fossil fuels and high supply prices," said Clinton. "NRG's commitment in Haiti's Central Plateau demonstrates the positive effects solar power installations can have on a community."

The William J. Clinton Foundation has long been committed to building Haiti's green energy structure and has worked with a number of green energy organizations, including NRG, to address the problem of high energy costs in Haiti and offer low-cost and cleaner alternatives, creating recycling systems and developing effective cooking methods to replace charcoal as fuel.