Page 47 - BHP | BHP Foundation Booklet 2019

Solar energy powers resilient

communities in Chile.

Promoting solar energy in Chile is a unique opportunity to enhance the resilience of
communities to changing environmental conditions. The Ayllu Solar project is enabling
the Arica y Parinacota region’s urban and rural Indigenous communities to harness the
power of solar energy and create opportunities for social and economic development.

The high-altitude northern desert Progress and Achievements
“ The introduction of solar region of Chile has some of the Initiated in 2015, the Ayllu Solar project
energy projects in northern world’s greatest potential to produce has implemented six solar reference
Chile constitutes a unique electricity, heat and light using solar projects; 36 schools are in the solar
opportunity for sustainable energy. However, communities are network with 115 teachers trained
development. However, a basic small and widely dispersed making it and reaching 1,056 students.
condition for successfully challenging to source local technical Other highlights include:
capturing this opportunity solar energy expertise. There are also
is the direct involvement of no specific subsidies for renewable • installing solar photo voltaic power
local communities. This can energy projects available in Chile, plants in five projects with online
only be achieved with a solid meaning small-scale projects in monitoring;
base of human capital.” particular, face difficulties accessing • provided training for communities
finance and obtaining permits. to operate and manage projects;
The project works with local • establishing a solar school network
communities to deliver productive with schools that have been
technological solutions and resilient participating in the five learning
socio-technical systems. The approach cycles – students creating their
allows communities to improve their own solar projects;
own living conditions in a lasting, • acquiring a solar photo voltaic mobile
sustainable way over time. Support laboratory for use in demonstrations
is provided through technical and at the local university; and
training and educational programs • developing best practice guidelines,
implemented through a network scientific papers and participating Solar energy
of schools in the region.
in 51 events to share our learnings. at work
The project has been recognized
as a United Nation’s best community The first dehydrated vegetables
project (2016), CIREC Chilean from the processing center in Vitor.
Rodrigo Palma, International RE Congress best The fruit and vegetable dehydrating
Director SERC Chile, community project (2016), and plant is powered by solar photo
Ayllu Solar Project High Quality Project Based Learning voltaic power plants installed with
Case Study (2018). the support of Ayllu Solar and
operated by the Vitorsol cooperative.
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