United Solar Initiative (USI) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization, based in Durham, NC, working to facilitate solar energy solutions to address energy and water poverty in underdeveloped communities around the world.
USI works internationally and locally to mechanize clean water infrastructure, facilitate solar installations, and empower underserved communities with lasting and renewable energy resources.
Working out of a Chapel Hill warehouse, Alex Wilhelm and Stephen Thomsen met each other through solar energy instructor Ed Witkin. Together, they designed a system and shipped materials to Nicaragua to power a school without electricity.
The pilot became the start of United Solar Initative.
We engage with partners of all sizes, ranging from local grassroots teams to wide-scale international collaborations to deliver equitable access to solar electricity.
World Vision is a champion in the effort to address the global issue of water poverty–lack of access to a consistent source of clean water–and USI has partnered to offer a solar solution to communities in countries throughout Africa in need of a reliable source of clean water.
USI works with both non-profit and for-profit companies in the U.S. to facilitate solar panel installations in under-served local communities. We strongly believe in the power of community empowerment in our mission of building cleaner energy systems for all.
If you’re interested in bringing solar power to your community in one of the regions we work, take some time to fill out our application!
Interested in donating to help bring power to an under-resourced community? Donate to a USI initiative.
Whether you are affiliated with a for-profit or non-profit, we're always looking to grow partnership opportunities with USI.
We always welcome quality volunteers interested in making an impact. Sounds like you? Lets chat!
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