To build on their initial success, SGP, the Small Grants Programme funded by the Global Environment Facility and administered by the United Nations Development Programme, made three grants - to ADESOL, the Society for Integral Development for the Northeast and Social Services of Dominican Churches - totaling almost $50,000. Those grants allowed for the expansion of revolving funds that had been created to assure that solar power systems could be purchased by thousands of Dominicans in remote areas.
The SGP grants also facilitated the training of 25 men and women in photovoltaic technology. These solar power entrepreneurs started 14 new businesses, which by 1998 had sold more than 4,300 systems to communities and households. Revenues generated by these sales have made the revolving funds self-sustaining; the number of lives affected by this technology keeps growing.
As a result of SGP support, schools, health clinics, and other community facilities, in addition to individual households replaced their CO2 producing, environmentally degrading kerosene with solar power systems which provide environmentally friendly energy. The availability of reliable, affordable electrical power affected virtually every aspect of life from access to potable water for consumption and irrigation, to energy for 24-hour health care, to power for computers in schools. In addition to local benefits, this clean technology helps mitigate climate change.
The solar power projects in the Dominican Republic are examples of the thousands of community-conceived initiatives that have received SGP grants since the organization's creation in 1992. Each demonstrates that small amounts of money can have global environmental impact when there is dedicated community action.
Large solar panels
Solar powered pump for drinking water
[it benefits more than 150 families in an area of extreme poverty]
Pink house - inside room
Two women proudly display their TV and radio which are powered by solar energy.
Pink House outside
Solar panels provide a home in a remote mountainous area with electricity
School children
Photovoltaic Technology powers computers in a rural school enhancing educational opportunities for students.
Rural clinic
With solar energy, this medical clinic can provide service day or night