December 2009 Archives

Cerro Negro, which means 'Black Hill', is home to Prudencio Alancay, one of SolarAid's entrepreneurs. It is a small, 20 home community. Recently, SolarAid volunteers travelled to the village to research rural communities' energy needs.

The rural village of Cerro Negro.

Although well organised and successfully running several business initiatives - including a salt mine cooperative - the community is not connected to the electrical grid. Families use up to six packs of candles a week and many more batteries to power their equipment. Refrigerators and TV are but distant possibilities for the residents in Cerro Negro.

There is an 8 panel solar system installed on the school of the village. It was a system from the old schoolhouse in the town and was installed by the utility in the province. The system was awarded to Cerro Negro after winning national contest and is maintained by the government. Such a system would cost around $100 a month to finance over two years. Although this is a lot for a family, it is an affordable cost for a community.

The school house, with solar on the roof, Cerro Negro.