Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer Darren Hammell visited Cuba in April with a delegation from the New Jersey Technology Council.
“Like many nations in the Caribbean, Cuba has a stated goal of developing renewable energy sources and reducing its reliance on imported fuel,” Hammell said. “Princeton Power Systems was invited to Cuba to learn about opportunities and to discuss distributed solar and energy storage technologies that could play a significant role in Cuba’s future energy production.”
Haiti is also looking toward expansion of renewables and distributed generation, especially since the earthquake in 2010 that severely damaged its infrastructure and left roughly two thirds of the country without access to electricity. Especially in rural areas, economic and human development is handicapped by lack of reliable electricity, which affects health and safety, and limits opportunities for education and entrepreneurship. In areas without electricity, people often rely on burning kerosene, charcoal and wood.
Princeton Power Systems recently launched a distribution partnership with Home Control to jointly develop commercial and residential projects in the Caribbean.
“This is an ideal time to introduce solar power into Haiti on a large scale,” said Gerard Boulos, president of Home Control. “Since the earthquake in 2010 damaged Haiti’s electrical grid, solar lanterns have become increasingly common. Constructing solar-powered microgrids is the logical next step. Haiti’s government has a goal of bringing solar electricity to rural areas. Solar power can improve the economic well-being of Haiti while supporting public safety, health and education.”
Haiti has a massive untapped solar energy potential, according to a report by Climate Investment Fund. There is high solar irradiation across the nation throughout the year. Solar Microgrids with storage can often be designed, built, and operating in less than three months, making them the fastest way to bring reliable electricity to rural areas. Princeton Power and Home Control have projects operating in Haiti today, and the distribution partnership will allow efficient replication of these successful case studies.