LIGHT UP THE WORLD
January Update
Greetings! 

 

Happy New Year! 

 

2013 was an incredible year for expanding access to solar energy at LUTW. The last 3 months have been busy for us as we implemented and supported 6 initiatives that are bringing solar electric systems to off-grid communities across 3 continents.  

 

If you've ever wondered what it's like the communities where we work, take a look at this great video that one of our volunteers, Glenn Parry, put together from a past project in Nepal.

Light Up The World

If this inspires you to want to get more involved in what we do, we're currently accepting applications for two upcoming opportunities that will be taking place this coming May in Peru and Costa Rica. Read below to learn more!

 

Also, if some our Canadian supporters are not yet aware, January 1st signaled the start of new minimum energy performance standards for light bulbs in the country. Click here if you want to learn more about this energy efficiency initiative. To support the transition to more efficient light bulbs, we'll be giving away one LED bulb each week in January and February to new Facebook and Twitter followers! Now is the best time to join our online community and switch to more efficient lighting.

 

Lastly, we'd like to thank The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA) for this article about us in their December magazine. Enjoy the read starting on page 76.

 

Thank you for your support! 

 

The LUTW Team 

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LIGHT UP HUANCAVELICA
Solar Home System Installation
 
This past November, LUTW, our local partners and volunteers worked alongside nine recently trained local technicians to install 40 solar home systems in the region of Huancavelica, Peru. The rural and remote communities of Pallccapampa, Carneceria, Yanacancha, and Santa Barbara were the focus of the project; the project brought electric light to approximately 150 people in these communities. LUTW and our partner San Javier have now installed nearly 300 solar home systems in the region. LUTW would like to thank the six talented volunteers that joined us on the project, helping with installations and mentoring local technicians.
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LIGHT UP GUATEMALA

Project Check & Installation

In December, LUTW returned to Guatemala with local partner IMDI to work with community members on past project maintenance and the installation of 36 new solar energy systems that will benefit about 200 people. There are now nearly 300 solar home systems in this region of Guatemala and IMDI is keen to keep educating their community about solar electricity and expanding into new areas. We were happy to work with a really enthusiastic team of technicians. In the words of one of the them that was trained and took part in installations, "it's impossible to describe how much we learned, you would have to be there". We would like to thank the The Fig Tree Foundation for supporting this project. 

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VOLUNTEER WITH US
LUTW is looking for volunteers for two projects next spring, click on the dates for more details! 

 

Peru: May 18-28, 2014  

Be a solar volunteer and work alongside LUTW staff and local technicians installing solar home systems in a remote community in Huancavelica. Training is included so no previous experience is necessary. This visit will be facilitated by LUTW staff and local partner, San Javier - an organization that has been implementing programs in communities in the Huancavelica region for over 20 years.  

    

 

Costa Rica: May 2014

Although Costa Rica is rich in biological and cultural diversity, many Costa Ricans living in remote areas such as Talamanca lack basic services such as electricity. Volunteers will help conduct beneficiary interviews and a project evaluation in Costa Rica alongside LUTW staff and our local partner, ACEM. This is a great opportunity to learn about the challenges of implementing sustainable energy projects within the wider context of development in Costa Rica and contribute to developing solutions to these unique challenges. 

    

    

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3 EASY WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

LUTW is often approached by generous individuals who would like to help us achieve our mission but they're not sure how to begin, so we've come up with three easy ways we could use your help:
Help keep the lights on - we rely on monthly supporters to fund ongoing training and support for local technicians.
Save yourself some money, support sustainable power, and by using our referral code, the monthly electrical fee will be donated to LUTW.
3. Spread the word
Please Tell your friends about us and share our posts with your social networks!
 
Like us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterView our profile on LinkedIn

    
All the best!
 
The LUTW Team






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EVENTS

  

Net Zero Building Design - Finding the Sweet Spot

Jan 22 (Edmonton)

 

What is the best approach to net zero energy home design and what have we learned?

 

Click here to learn more 

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Solar Installers Forum Grid-tied Photovoltaics

Feb 26, (Edmonton)

 

Presentation and discussion by a panel of solar PV installers.

 

Click here to learn more

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Solar Installers Forum Off-grid Photovoltaics

March 26 (Edmonton

 

Presentation and discussion by solar PV installers.

  

Click here to learn more 

 

For more events: 


LUTW  U of C CLUB 
UPDATE  

  

Upcoming: 
Earth Hour Event
March 29, 7-11 pm
at Gravity Espresso and Wine Bar featuring live music by performers from the 
U of C. From 8:30 to 9:30 lights will be off around the city but the music will play on. Hope to see you there! 
 
Congratulations to the LUTW Club at the University of Calgary for selling 200 tickets for Zoo Lights as a fundraiser for LUTW projects!
 
In January the LUTW Club also organized a healthy snack sale to fundraise for LUTW! Great work!


SAVE MONEY & SUPPORT LUTW

SPARK is an electricity provider in Alberta. If you switch to SPARK, the monthly electrical administration fee will be donated to LUTW! Be sure to enter the LUTW referral code (LUTWRS) when registering.    
Click here to learn more