This small West African country – tucked between Togo and Nigeria – is about to have a major change to the quality of life for the local people. Proniso has developed a “sola PV energy system to be installed in a foyer that provides accommodation to homeless young people” (Cruz, 2012). Because of this one simple initiative, 250 people’s lives will benefit.

Combining forces with Energy Without Borders, Movement for the Realisation of the Social Habitat (MIRHAS-Peru), Corazonistas Foundation, Caritas Yurimaguas and NGO Youth and Development. Benin isn’t the only country to benefit from Proinso’s project either. There are a total of 5 projects to be carried out that are all part of the “Solar Energy Solidarity programme… to help underprivileged groups lacking the financial or technical resources to generate solar PV energy” (Proinso, 2012).

Rather than simply focusing on a quick fix solution to providing electricity, Proinso has jumped at the opportunity to provide a more earth-friendly long-term solution to struggling communities. By using the sun, Proinso eliminates many of the issues associated with trying to get electricity to some of these communities. As great as this is, I am still left with the question as to why solar panels became such a priority for homeless youth. Are there no other issues that need dealing with prior to hooking up a few lightbulbs? Even still, though these youth are without a home – surely their lives are benefited through the eco-friendly solution of solar panels. Right?

 

Bibliography

Cruz, L. (2012, March 20). PROINSO’s Solar Energy Solidarity Project to Benefit 19,000 in Peru, Togo and Benin. Retrieved April 23, 2012, from Eco-Friendly Tips: http://ecofriendlytip.com/2012/03/22/proinsos-solar-energy-solidarity-project-to-benefit-19000-in-peru-togo-and-benin/

Info Please. (2012). Benin. Retrieved April 23, 2012, from Info Please: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107337.html

Price, T. (2012, April 11). Five PV charity projects earmarked for Pero, Togo and Benin. Retrieved April 23, 2012, from Renewable Energy Magazine: http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/pv_solar-19974-71-Five%20PV%20charity%20projects%20earmarked%20for%20Pero,%20Togo%20and%20Benin

Proinso. (2012, March 20). PROINSO’s Solar Energy Solidarity project to benefit 19,000 in Peru, Togo and Benin. Retrieved April 23, 2012, from Proinso: http://www.proinso.net/_bin/noticias.php?noticias=2012&id_noticia=157#m157