Installing Solar for Haitian Civil Society with Emphases on Maintenance and Empowerment

Abstract

Electricity access in Haiti has been limited historically and has further declined in 2021 as a result of political instability including the assassination of the president and gang violence. This paper is a case study of the operations of a nonprofit organization implementing projects to improve electricity access in northern Haiti. Eight projects utilizing solar photovoltaics ranging from 1.0 to 34.5 kWp, some with lithium ferro phosphate batteries, have been installed and are serving the medical community and other civil society organizations in this area. Ongoing maintenance is provided by a Haitian team and uses a computerized maintenance management system, remote monitoring, and in-person inspections. Job creation is achieved primarily during installations, but also by ongoing maintenance. This model shows promise for additional scaling and replication.