Current and on-going projects
Completed projects
| Solar Literacy | Llama Wool Producers | Lighting & Cooking |
The new Bolivian government started a literacy campaign for adults last February. The methodology is based on the use of video and TV, and offering evening classes to reach more people. Access to modern energy services, especially electricity, is therefore crucial, but often not available. To assist in this campaign, the Cuban government donated 2000 solar systems to Bolivia.
EASE Bolivia was asked to install the systems at the schools. Energética, EASE partner in Bolivia, started a programme to train 60 local technicians in installing and maintaining the solar systems.
So far 137 schools have been reached, covering a total of 4.110 people. The coming three months at least another 63 schools will be added to this list.
The llama wool producers (camellidos) live in the Bolivian highlands and belong to the poorest people in Bolivia. They mainly rely on traditional energy sources for their energy needs. Grid extension is not an option as the farms are too far apart (up to 12 km).
Therefore farmers have to shave the llamas manually. This has a negative impact on the wool’s quality and the capacity of the llama’s to produce high quality wool in following years -due to tissue scars. Shaving the animals with electric tools would solve the problem.
The project will install 500 solar systems for llama farmers to improve shaving. The first pilot system was installed in July. Now 70 systems have been installed and the aim is to finalise the 500 installations by November.
In 2005, EASE Bolivia successfully targeted rural families with both solar PV systems and improved cook stoves in a pilot project under EASE. The impact of the project was positive. Light is used to lengthen the work day, for productive uses, for doing homework, and also for leisure at night. The improved woodstoves help save firewood, increase safety in the kitchen and reduce indoor smoke.
Given these positive results, the project was scaled up this year, targeting to reach 700 households in rural Bolivia. The project is implemented in two phases. The solar systems are installed first and the cook stoves are introduced afterwards. There currently is no commercial operator for improved cook stoves in Bolivian rural areas. EASE aims to develop this market and the technology.
Earlier this year a technology package was developed to transfer the technology to two metal workshops and a ceramic industry for serial production of the stoves.
The production and installation of the stoves is ongoing. The target of 320 households by September was achieved. The remaining 380 households will be serviced with improved lighting and cooking before the end of 2006.
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