Equity & Community

Nelson Valle

  • January 28, 2015
Group of people with raised arms standing under solar panels in a field

Nelson Valle was shocked to hear that he would be getting solar on his farm in rural northern Nicaragua. “The idea came from the people,” says Juan Miguel Rizo, Field Project Coordinator for GRID Alternatives’ International office, “they were asking if we did different projects, not just solar systems for schools and medical centers. We asked them, what else do you need?” Nelson owns a small piece of land, no more than five acres. He was spending about $200 each month on gasoline to fuel pumps he used to run water to his farm from a river 220 meters away. A solar system saves him a significant amount of money each month. Once they finished the project, Juan Miguel says, “Nelson looked very serious,” but when he saw water flowing into his tank, he smiled. That night, Nelson’s community slaughtered a pig and held a big barbeque celebration to show their gratitude to all the volunteers who had lent a hand in bringing solar to this rural community.