Implementing solar panels in Panama
September 2007-September 2009
Between September 2007 and September 2009 Journey Latin America collected £69,707.80 for the TICOS project which installs solar panels in rural schools and public buildings in the remote Kuna Yala communities in Panama. The funds went towards replacing diesel generators with solar panels in schools, village centres and health centres.
The benefits of this project were immense. Not only do the panels reduce air and land pollution, but the communities also benefit from the opportunity to attend evening classes, health centres can open at night and more members of the community can attend meetings and social gatherings after their days work.
- 2008 - research undertaken
- January 2009 - the solar panels were bought and transported to the communities.
- January - September 2009 - solar panels were implemented in 21 Kuna Yala communities and members of each community were trained to maintain and service the panels themselves.
The total of £69,707.80 raised through staff and clients offsetting far exceeded our expectations and that of the project coordinators. Thank you for your support.
In August 2009, our tour leader Veronica Lampon visited several of the communities which received the solar panels. After meeting with the chiefs and other community members, it was clear how the solar panels have changed their lives. From the moment the panels arrived in January 2009, the whole community got involved and embraced the scheme. The extended hours of light have brought great change, there are now even evening classes in tourism, taught by teachers from the university in Panama City.
Veronica’s account of her visit to the Kuna Yala communities where the solar panels are up and running:
Since September 2007 Journey Latin America’s clients and staff have been offsetting their carbon emissions on flights to Latin America. The scheme supported is TICOS (Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Scheme) and Journey Latin America’s chosen TICOS project installs solar panels in schools and health and village centres on the Kuna Yala archipelago, Panama. To date we have raised – no sorry. We and you, our clients have raised a massive £69,000 so I ventured to the tropical islands earlier this year to find out how the project is developing…
There to meet me at the airport in Panama City was my guide, Nemesio Alfaro, a very proud Kuna indian. After a one-hour flight we arrived in Corazón de Jesús, Kuna Yala and the adventure began…Kuna Yala is home to the indigenous Kuna indians and their culture has been remarkably preserved in modern times. They organise their way of life with total autonomy: land is communally owned and local laws are enforced. There are idyllic white-sand beaches and lush rainforest with abundant wildlife.
Currently 21 individual communities have been given solar panels and training - solely with funds collected by Journey Latin America. Visiting these communities to see and hear firsthand how the solar panels have changed their lives for the better was my first task.
The solar panels were delivered at the beginning of this year and Nemesio explained that as soon as they did everyone got stuck in. Most panels were put up that same week and everyone that I spoke to said it was a week to remember. They couldn’t wait to show me around!
Previously a few of the communities had used gas generators, not only costly to run but also harmful to the local environment. Now, the new solar panels have proven to be a huge success, with many benefits and the results are remarkable.
Extended hours of light, thanks to the solar panels, have enabled several communities to build and develop universities that offer evening classes. There’s a course on offer is tourism which is taught by teachers from the University of Panama. In addition, more women who would have previously stayed at home making molas (traditional clothes and handicrafts) to sell, are taking advantage of this new opportunity and are now signing up for part-time night courses.
After a long and rewarding day I returned home overwhelmed by how much good has been achieved and how much of a difference the solar panels have made.