Project Detail

Photovoltaics in Remote Communities of Western and Southern Belize

The three (3) remote communities of Lucky Strike, Yalbac, and San Lucas do not have access to electricity grid ? this project seeks to resolve this issue, providing clean, renewable photovoltaic energy to 14 families in Lucky Strike (5 who are considering using electricity for business), 24 families in Yalbac (2 who plan using the electricity for business, plus 1 system for the church), and 30 families in San Lucas (San Lucas has a retail business and an internet café in place already).
The three communities have already put in place an interim Power Board under the village council with 7 members. These Power Boards will have a key role in project implementation and are key to the long-term sustainability of the photovoltaic systems in the community: the board will collect fees that will allow it to repair and replace parts of the PV systems over time. The power board falls under the oversight of the Ministry of Rural Transformation and Community Development (MRTCD), helping to ensure transparency and sustainability.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Plenty International (Belize) Limited

Country:

Belize

Area Of Work:

Climate Change Mitigation

Operational Phase:

OP7 Y4 (July 23-June 24)

Grant Amount:

US$ 150,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 20,900.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 148,243.00

Project Number:

BZE/SGP/OP7/Y4/CORE/CC/SIDS/2023/01

Start Date:

9/2023

End Date:

12/2025

Status:

Currently under execution

Project Characteristics and Results

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Community meetings in each of the three villages: Lucky Strike has been discussing this concept since May of 2022 and has consistently been following up; Yalbac started as this call for proposals came out; and San Lucas has discussed since April of 2022 with a final meeting on 11 July 2023 to go over the fine details of this proposal. All three communities have chosen their Solar Power Boards, which will have their capacity built in this project to collect and administer monthly funds from each household, with oversight by the Ministry of Rural Transformation and Community Development. Residents of each community have volunteered to assist with time and labor for the project, have offered temporary housing to the solar engineers as needed during installation and training times. The project will have a Project Steering Committee (PSC) that will oversee the activities and budget and approve of changes that might be requested. One representative of each community will sit on the PSC, along with representatives of Plenty Belize, BPCL, MRTCD, and GEF SGP. The Solar Power Board in each community will meet monthly and provide reports to the community and MRTCD. All community members will be invited to participate in the end of project participatory evaluation process.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Objective#1: To build the capacity of Solar Power Boards in Lucky Strike, Yalbac, and San Lucas to manage solar photovoltaic systems and sustainability. Objective#2: To install a renewable power source in households and small businesses in the three communities. Objective#3: To support active, positive roles for women and youth.

Policy Impact

Rural Community Development Officers (RCDO) will provide trainings on Financial, Legal and Management issues to the Power Boards of each community. The Power Board will be organized and trained to collect and manage the fees for use, maintenance, and sustainability of the solar systems with oversight from the Ministry of Rural Development.

Capacity - Building Component

Sustainability began with the first conversations held in the three communities ? how can solar photovoltaic systems be maintained and even upgraded as they age, and parts go past their lifespan? A solar power board to collect fees monthly, saving the money needed to procure batteries and other parts of the systems so that they are available when needed in the future. The power boards are truly key to the sustainability built into this project. They are local democratic institutions set up under the Village Councils Act. So, during the project, the power boards will have significant capacity building to help ensure success. BPCL will go over costs of items and anticipated lifespans, allowing for a fair monthly cost to be assessed by the power board for the different sizes of systems. MRTCD will provide training on handling of and reporting on funds, and operation of the board under the law. They will monitor the boards for as long as they exist, well past the project end. BPCL will provide technical training to technicians for the power board to be able to do basic work on the photovoltaic systems.

Gender Focus

This project goes beyond gender mainstreaming, and actively supports women in non-traditional roles. As empowered women, each indigenous female solar expert is a powerful role model for the young women of Toledo and beyond. All publicity about the project will feature the women of BPCL, as will the work being done. All activities of the project will target men and women in an equitable manner. Solar electrification in the homes will benefit all family members. All primary and high school students will be able to complete their homework assignments and study for their classes in a more suitable environment. Due to a special request by women in Yalbac, we will be offering some of the houses a system that is capable of running a 500W two tub washing machine during sunny days. In this project, equal opportunities exist for men and for women to increase their capacity and to benefit from solar energy. The Power Board has a commitment for equal representation of women and men, and currently is dominated with women.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

This project will build capacity in the three villages that goes beyond solar power, with the goal of development in the village being more community-driven and inclusive of women. The Power Board is a good example of community management.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

This project will install a prominent sign in each of the 3 communities. An inauguration ceremony for the project will be held at each community where the villagers will cook and provide entertainment. Dignitaries from government, NGOs, and other agencies, the media, and others will be invited. In addition, t-shirts for the Power Boards, BPCL members, and key persons promoting the solar system will be produced. The Plenty Belize facebook page will be used at least quarterly to share information to the public.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Tonnes of CO2 decreased or avoided by energy efficient and renewable energy technologies or applying environmentally sustainable transport practices introduced by SGP Project 68

Empowerment

Number of CBOs / NGOs participated / involved in SGP project 3

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