Grupo FenixGrupo Fenix

Creating a Solar Culture in Creating a Solar Culture in NicaraguaNicaragua

What we DOWhat we DO Grupo Fenix's primary goal is to Grupo Fenix's primary goal is to researchresearch, , developdevelop and and applyapply appropriate, renewable appropriate, renewable energy technologies in Nicaragua with the energy technologies in Nicaragua with the following objectivesfollowing objectives: : 

To conduct practical research into To conduct practical research into appropriateappropriate energy technologies  energy technologies  To support community self-determination and To support community self-determination and local responsibility for the projects  local responsibility for the projects  To increase the technical skill level and To increase the technical skill level and employability of local people  employability of local people  To improve health and living standards ofTo improve health and living standards of

families and communities  families and communities  To preserve natural resourcesTo preserve natural resources

The current situation…The current situation…Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Nicaragua is the second poorest country in the Western HemisphereWestern Hemisphere

Less than 50% of Nicaragua has access to Less than 50% of Nicaragua has access to electricity, even less in rural areaselectricity, even less in rural areas

Rural poor rely on Rural poor rely on wood stoves for wood stoves for cooking, resulting in cooking, resulting in many environmental many environmental and health problems and health problems such as deforestation, such as deforestation, global warming and global warming and respiratory diseases.respiratory diseases.

A Response…A Response…

In 1996 Professor Susan Kinne and a In 1996 Professor Susan Kinne and a group of students at the National group of students at the National Engineering University of Nicaragua (UNI) Engineering University of Nicaragua (UNI) began working with Renewable Energybegan working with Renewable Energy

Selected name Grupo Fenix to express Selected name Grupo Fenix to express their hope of moving from the ashes of war their hope of moving from the ashes of war to an enlightened societyto an enlightened society

Early Stages of Grupo FenixEarly Stages of Grupo FenixWorked with many Renewable Energy opportunitiesWorked with many Renewable Energy opportunities

Installed solar pumps, drip irrigation systems, PV battery Installed solar pumps, drip irrigation systems, PV battery charging centers, a micro-hydroelectric system and hundreds charging centers, a micro-hydroelectric system and hundreds of PV systems in rural communitiesof PV systems in rural communities

Formed Professionals, NGO (Asofenix), Small Business (Suni Formed Professionals, NGO (Asofenix), Small Business (Suni Solar), Production Center (Solar Cooker Workshop), Solar), Production Center (Solar Cooker Workshop), University Program (Programa de Fuentes Alternas de University Program (Programa de Fuentes Alternas de Energía)Energía)

Solar Battery Charging Station in the community of Solar Battery Charging Station in the community of IcalupeIcalupe

Suni Solar – Renewable Energy BusinessSuni Solar – Renewable Energy Business

Dr. Richard Komp and new Suni Solar Dr. Richard Komp and new Suni Solar buildingbuilding

Largest Solar System in Nicaragua in 2006 - Women´s Clinic Mulukuku

UNILE Solar Cooker UNILE Solar Cooker WorkshopWorkshop

Madriz, NicaraguaMadriz, Nicaragua

Programa de Fuentes Alternas de Programa de Fuentes Alternas de Energía (PFAE)Energía (PFAE)

Alternative Energy Program at the National Alternative Energy Program at the National University of Engineering (UNI) in ManaguaUniversity of Engineering (UNI) in Managua

1999 – Present1999 – PresentSolar Saturdays – Monthly Renewable Energy Solar Saturdays – Monthly Renewable Energy ConferencesConferences

Annual Renewable Energy FairAnnual Renewable Energy Fair

Seminars and Courses on Renewable EnergySeminars and Courses on Renewable Energy

Problems that Arose out of Initial Problems that Arose out of Initial Grupo Fenix Projects in Rural Grupo Fenix Projects in Rural

CommunitiesCommunitiesOver-extended effortsOver-extended effortsLack of resourcesLack of resourcesLack of sufficient social and technical Lack of sufficient social and technical follow through necessary for successfollow through necessary for success

NEW DIRECTION:NEW DIRECTION:Focus on one community as a model in Focus on one community as a model in conjunction with University Programconjunction with University Program

- - Sabana Grande, TotogalpaSabana Grande, Totogalpa

How we got Started in the How we got Started in the Community of Sabana Grande, Community of Sabana Grande,

TotogalpaTotogalpa1999 - project for the creation of jobs in solar 1999 - project for the creation of jobs in solar energy for land mine victims energy for land mine victims

Local people were trained and certified to be Local people were trained and certified to be solar technicians who could build solar panels solar technicians who could build solar panels and install PV systems.and install PV systems.

Local Solar Panel Workshop was developed.Local Solar Panel Workshop was developed.

1999 – Women’s group, 1999 – Women’s group, Mujeres Mujeres Solares de TotogalpaSolares de Totogalpa, began organizing , began organizing around construction, use and repair of around construction, use and repair of solar ovenssolar ovens

How we got Started in the How we got Started in the Community of Community of

Sabana Grande, TotogalpaSabana Grande, Totogalpa

Be a center of experimentation and Be a center of experimentation and technology transfertechnology transfer

Develop “local scientists” to continue and Develop “local scientists” to continue and enhance technical advancementsenhance technical advancements

Develop products and processes of Develop products and processes of renewable energy applicationsrenewable energy applications

Facilitate University-Community Knowledge Facilitate University-Community Knowledge CycleCycle

Goals for Creating a Model Community

National and International Universities

Community

“Knowledge Cycle”Bringing technical knowledge from the universities to the community and back…

Goals for Creating a Model Community

Develop an integrated community that identifies Develop an integrated community that identifies and develops sustainable solutions based on its and develops sustainable solutions based on its own ecological, economic and social realities own ecological, economic and social realities Generate employment in Renewable EnergyGenerate employment in Renewable EnergyInsist on local ownership of projectsInsist on local ownership of projectsUnion of appropriate technology with the Union of appropriate technology with the social social practicespractices necessary for successful integration necessary for successful integration and incorporation of the technologyand incorporation of the technology

Solar Women’s Center in Solar Women’s Center in Sabana GrandeSabana Grande

Getting Dirty and Having a Place to Call Getting Dirty and Having a Place to Call Their OwnTheir Own

Appropriate Technology – AdobeAppropriate Technology – Adobe

Socio-Technical Relationship – Community Socio-Technical Relationship – Community InvolvementInvolvement

Ownership – Collective, Inclusive DesignOwnership – Collective, Inclusive Design

Human Dignity – Use of local ideas and Human Dignity – Use of local ideas and knowledgeknowledge

Started in 2002 Finished in 2007

Collective planning process with Solar Women and renowned local adobe architect

Women Initiated Own Women Initiated Own Reforestation ProjectReforestation Project

Solar CenterSolar Center100% Powered by Solar Energy100% Powered by Solar EnergySolar Cooker Production WorkshopSolar Cooker Production WorkshopSolar Panel WorkshopSolar Panel WorkshopSolar Water PumpSolar Water PumpOffice and LibraryOffice and LibraryMeeting and Learning SpaceMeeting and Learning SpaceOrganic agriculture projects – Organic agriculture projects – Pineapple, noni, cashew, orange, Pineapple, noni, cashew, orange, papaya, passion fruit, etc.papaya, passion fruit, etc.Composting Latrine and Compost PileComposting Latrine and Compost Pile

Just of Few of our Future Just of Few of our Future Projects…Projects…

Solar Cooker Design Improvements and Marketing Solar Cooker Design Improvements and Marketing CampaignCampaignOutreach and Renewable Energy Education in the Outreach and Renewable Energy Education in the CommunityCommunityStore showcasing local products including solar Store showcasing local products including solar roasted coffee, dried fruits and craftsroasted coffee, dried fruits and craftsContinued electrification of solar center, community Continued electrification of solar center, community homes and schools with locally made solar panelshomes and schools with locally made solar panelsSolar Restaurant and Eco-HotelSolar Restaurant and Eco-HotelContinued Reforestation Projects Continued Reforestation Projects

and Research on Permacultureand Research on PermacultureSeek funding and partnership for Seek funding and partnership for

construction of biodigestor in centerconstruction of biodigestor in center

Courses in Renewable Energy and SustainabilityGrupo Fénix offers various hands-on

courses and workshops throughout the year.

Solar Culture Course

Renewable Energy in the Developing World with Solar Energy International (SEI)

Sustainability through Community with the Center for Ecological Living and Learning (CELL) study abroad program

Alternative Spring Break

University Courses – Univeristy of Dayton and Cornell

We also tailor courses and workshops to a group´s specific needs and interests!

Longterm Volunteer ProgramLongterm Volunteer ProgramCapacity Building- Research, data Capacity Building- Research, data collection, tools operation, business skills, collection, tools operation, business skills, etc.etc.

Idea Sharing- Designs, New Projects, Idea Sharing- Designs, New Projects, RecipesRecipes

Documentation- Papers, Articles, Documentation- Papers, Articles, InterviewsInterviews

Cultural exchangeCultural exchange

Gracias!Gracias!