As the international community works to help Haiti recover from the magnitude seven earthquake that struck the country last week, the solar industry is looking to do its part to assist the in efforts being made.

The SolarWorld group said yesterday that it is donating solar modules to power 10 pump stations to provide clean, safe water for up to 175,000 earthquake survivors in Haiti. SolarWorld is donating modules to the nonprofit Water Missions International (WMI) for use in water-pumping stations in the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince.

At a discount, the company also has shipped modules to operate about 25 additional WMI water stations. SolarWorld has been active in the Latin American market about 30 years.

“Fuel shortages in Haiti are causing major roadblocks in providing aid,” said George C. Greene IV, WMI vice president for international programs. “Through SolarWorld’s assistance, WMI continues to place solar-powered water systems in the neediest areas. We have been incredibly blessed by our relationship with SolarWorld, and we know thousands of lives will be saved as a result of its hard work and generous efforts.”

SolarWorld is donating the 10 kilowatts of solar equipment through its Solar2World program, which provides equipment for off-grid rural solar projects in the developing world. Last summer, the program gave more than 10 kilowatts in modules to a clinic in a remote Haitian village. The clinic reportedly is serving quake refugees.

Also this week, a DC-3 flown by Missionary Flights International landed in Haiti carrying the first wave of long-term solar lighting relief for victims of the earthquake. Solar lighting company Sol Inc. sent the lights to Haiti so that that can be delivered and installed as quickly as possible at a private medical clinic and orphanage to help with victim care, aid distribution and security.

This first delivery of lights and volunteers is only the start of Sol Inc.'s commitment to donating over $300,000 in solar lights for Haitian security and safety, the company said.

In order to continue sending product to aid in the recover, Sol said that it is looking for planes and crew that can carry 200 pounds plus 20-foot-long poles per light as well as validated relief agencies that can state exactly where they need the LED solar lights installed to improve the security and safety of their relief operations.

Any relief organization in Haiti that needs long-term reliable nighttime illumination should contact Sol Inc. at agencycontact@solarlighting.com. 

To learn more about how the renewable energy industry can help to provide aid in Haiti, read How the Renewable Energy Community Can Help Haiti by the Solar Electric Light Fund's Bob Freling.