SunEdison, a leading provider of solar energy solutions and services, today dedicated a new solar power plant to the Mariposa Center for Girls in the Dominican Republic. The new plant provides reliable energy for the center which serves at-risk schoolgirls in support of the UN's goals to increase energy access for all.
"We believe reliable energy is the foundation of sustainable development for all communities," Steve O'Rourke, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for SunEdison said. "Electricity facilitates education, the delivery of healthcare services, and economic growth. We are proud to support the UN's Sustainable Energy for All initiative in this and future endeavors to ensure all people have access to clean, affordable energy."
The Mariposa Center for Girls is a non-profit foundation that works with at-risk schoolgirls, aged 8-18, to teach leadership skills and improve their prospects for the future. Currently the Center offers health and wellness care, academic tutoring, library and computer access, job and life skills training, and sports to the 100 schoolgirls in the Center.
"SunEdison's support of the Mariposa Center hasn't just electrified a facility, it's helping to energize opportunity for at-risk schoolgirls," said Richenda Van Leeuwen, executive director for Energy Access at the United Nations Foundation. "Providing energy for schools helps support education, enabling students to study at night, and supports better health and economic opportunities for women. This commitment by SunEdison is a great example of the work that can be done to support the United Nation's Sustainable Energy for All initiative, especially in 2014, the first year of the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All which has a special focus on the links between energy, women and health."
Until now the lack of reliable electricity has hindered the Center's efforts to improve quality of life for the schoolgirls. SunEdison donated $10,000 in cash plus an in-kind donation of equipment to the Center. Through this donation, Mariposa Center for Girls received a 9.9 kW solar system. Local workers received on-the-job training and installed the system.
Richard Hansen, a pioneer in bringing solar energy to the Dominican Republic and advisor on this project, is connecting organizations to provide energy access to underserved communities: "Matching SunEdison to help the Mariposa Center for Girls was a natural fit," said Hansen. "Having access to reliable and sustainable electricity will improve their quality of life. The Center and the girls will benefit from this program for years to come."
"This project is not only an extension of our Eradication of Darkness program, but part of our ongoing effort to improve opportunities for women in the solar industry," O'Rourke said. "In addition to the solar power plant we've donated solar equipment for use in education programs. We are privileged to help these young women succeed. "
Source: http://www.sunedison.com