The USI Story
The United Solar Initiative Journey In early 2013, Alex Wilhelm and Steven Thomsen didn’t know each other, but they both knew of the harmful properties of kerosene lamps, and the problems communities in developing countries faced without access to electricity. Separately, they were working on projects to fix this problem when they were introduced by […]
Solar for Verapaz Primary School
If you’re looking for Verapaz, go North out of San Ramon on Highway 5, then after El Tuma cross the Tuma River and turn up the dirt road heading into the mountains. Follow that road until it ends and you will arrive at Verapaz. Do not attempt without four wheel drive. Verapaz is one of the most remote communities in the region and as a result has no electricity, and no plans to be connected to the Nicaraguan Grid for at least the next 10 years.
Matongo Birthing Clinic Micro-Grid
Location: Kisii County, Kenya Cost: $2,500 Date Started: August 9, 2015 Date Completed: August 11, 2015 Major Donors: Strata Solar Major Partners Summary In 2020, United Solar Initiative, a global energy access nonprofit project developer, designed and built an 8.7kW solar + storage microgrid in Kenya at a women’s hospital with the support of healthcare […]
San Jose Primary School
As soon as the two trucks carrying the construction material pulled into San Jose, a crowd of giggling children and curious adults formed outside the school. San Jose is a beautiful village, a sprinkling of houses in the midst of a massive coffee plantation. It’s a village cut off from the world, but with a window out to the mysteries beyond.
Solar Panels for Mina Verde Primary School
Over the period of three days, two of USI’s volunteers, Steven Thomsen and Charlie Egan, visited Matagalpa, Nicaragua to participate in two projects that are located deep in mountainous terrain miles outside the city. The projects consisted of installing solar panels on the schools Mina Verde 2 and San Antonio de Upa to enable electricity usage through light bulbs for night time education.
Water Pump Solutions
In early 2015, USI and World Vision formed a partnership to bring power and clean water to communities all over the world. World Vision currently supports 2,000 water pumps throughout Africa, South America and East Asia providing clean water to a new person every 30 seconds. USI will solarize many of these pumps, replacing the hand crank or diesel fuel process with clean electric-powered pumps.
Lug-a-Jug 2019
Second Annual Lug-A-Jug
Powering San Ramón Arts & Community Center with Solar
Location: San Antonio De Upa, Nicaragua Cost: $3,000 Date Started: May 27, 2014 Date Completed: May 29, 2014 Major Donors: Strata Solar Partners: Suni Solar, SCSRN Summary A productive, reliable community center is crucial for a community to grow through education and encourages community members to interact through cultural gatherings. A lack of electricity can […]
Colocando Primary School Goes Solar
Location: San Antonio De Upa, Nicaragua Cost: $2,500 Date Started: August 9, 2015 Date Completed: August 11, 2015 Major Donors: Strata Solar Partners: Sonati, Suni Solar Summary The community of Colocondo is centered around a dirt courtyard surrounded by small homes, a community store, and the school house. A short distance away the Colocondo River […]