Private Sector Financed Community Solar Microgrids and Agricultural Accelerators
Project title
Private Sector Financed Community Solar Microgrids and Agricultural Accelerators
Project country/region
☐ East Asia & Pacific
☐ Europe & Central Asia
☑ Latin America & The Carribean - Guatemala
☐ Middle East & North Africa
☐ North America
☐ South Asia
☐ Sub-Saharan Africa
Project organisation
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (Guatemala)
Project description
CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTION
UVG uses an innovative approach to developing low-cost community utility companies in ‘off-grid’ agricultural communities called Community Accelerators. Each Accelerator will consist of a localized photovoltaic (PV) mini-grid and will be operated by a local for-profit service provider company that also provides agribusiness service. This “utility in a box” approach is designed so that private sector financing can be used to fund the establishment of Accelerators, making this clean energy solution scalable without additional donor funding.
IMPACT
The project will provide access to clean energy to operate irrigation systems and cold storage facilities. Micro-financing will allow operators to provide services at an affordable price, while generating enough revenue to remain profitable year-round. Increasing the availability of clean energy in communities will reduce reliance on carbon-based fuels currently used to power generators, kerosene lamps, etc. Deforestation may also be reduced as the CES provides an alternative to wood-fueled fires used to dry cardamom.
ORGANIZATION
The Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (University of the Valley of Guatemala (UVG)) is a private, not-for-profit, secular university located in Guatemala City, Guatemala. Founded in 1966 by a private foundation, it was the first private university in Guatemala to give a strong emphasis to technology. UVG has partnered with Development Ventures and Greenergyze, S.A. Development Ventures will serve as the technical lead on financial infrastructure activities. Greenergyze will lead the physical infrastructure activities.
Universidad del Valle de Guatemala (Guatemala) participated successfully in the PAEGC Initiative (https://poweringag.org/) and was with its project 'Private Sector Financed Community Solar Microgrids and Agricultural Accelerators' in Guatemala among the winners of 2015.
Project related to following sources of energy
☑ Solar
☐ Biomass
☐ Biofuel
☐ Biogas
☐ Wind
☐ Geo-Thermal
☐ Hydro
☐ Energy Efficiency
☐ Other: /
Project primarily related to the following Commodity Groups
☐ Cereals
☐ Fruits and vegetables
☐ Nuts and berries
☐ Forage
☐ Dairy products
☐ Meat products
☐ Oil Seeds
☐ Roots and Tubers
☐ Eggs
☐ Pulses
☐ Fiber Crops
☐ Forestry
☐ Sugars
☐ Stimulants
☐ Spices
☑ Other: Horticulture
Project primarily related to the following Agricultural Value Chain Steps
☐ Mechanization
☐ Efficiency of Operation
☐ Processing
☐ Transportation
☐ Controlled Atmosphere
☐ Controlled Temperature
☐ Mechanical Sorting
☐ Preservation
☑ Other: Decentralized Power
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