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Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

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Solar For 5 Schools In Belize

by tacogirl 20/03/2019
written by tacogirl 20/03/2019
Solar for 5 Schools In Belize

The Kenyon College crew came back last week, and this year it was a team of all girls doing the solar installations. James said that they worked like a well-oiled machine installing this year’s panels.

The group to date has done 23 schools, an estimate of 250 Countrywide. Some of these learning institutions had no power at all and many still don’t. Imagine no lights, fans, computers or projectors – makes learning more difficult on so many levels. It is a huge deal that this annual solar panel project group is volunteering their time and expertise to expand renewable energy countrywide.

Mainland Belize Schools

This year the mainland schools that got new panels were Mount Carmel in Benque, Sacred Heart College in San Ignacio, Light of the Valley Primary in Stann Creek and Guinea Grass Primary, near Orange Walk.

An example of savings on the mainland from this project comes from
Nazarene school in Sarteneja. Their bill went from $120 down to $40 a month. That is a substantial saving as schools do not receive very much funding in Belize.

In addition to schools, the Kenyon team formed a new connection at Belmopan Aggregates and Hardware. They sell the exact same panels the college uses, so the team was happy to find a reasonably priced in country option and shop locally next year. Not only are the panels a great price by the pallet, but they are also increased strength. 275 watts vs last year’s model that was used were 230 watts.

Ambergris Caye Schools

This year New Horizons Primary School got 4 extra panels, making their install 12 this year. The school has 3 power meters and space to keep going in the future. The goal is to knock off 25% of their electric bill.

I texted New Horizons Principal Samuel Chi to find out how their new system is working out. I learned after one year of solar, they are experiencing a savings of about 10 to 12 percent on one meter. With the installation of this year’s new panels, he hopes to hope to have 10% to 15% on each meter.

Help New Horizons Primary School

Recognizing that schools need help, Kenyon offers schools the option of a solar power payment plan. New Horizons is still working on fundraising to cover the rest of the $5044 BZD. If you would like to help, you can make a donation at the New Horizons school office in the Escalante sub-division. If you are in the United States, please reach out, and email me at tacogirlbelize[at]gmail.com with ‘Belize Solar Project’ in the header. They are in the process of setting up a solar bank account to make it easy to donate.

If you have interest in solar power panels for your home or need help with your system, David Sosa is a great guy on Ambergris Caye. He can be reached at 624-2874 , and he also repairs washing machines.

You might also like to see Belize Solar Project which gives current solar data for all schools in Belize that were installed by Kenyon College. You can also check out last year’s write up I did – Solar For Schools In Belize.

Previous School Solar Instalations

Monitoring previously installed solar systems is also something that Kenyon College does while here. They did a quick pass of Brighter Tomorrow Preschool and realized they had to have the inverter controller board replaced, and it is now working again. At San Pedro High School, all was good with their systems.

Ambergris Caye Elementary, the first Kenyon install on the island in 2017 was due to get more panels but upon assessment, the roof was too high to meet the Kenyon College requirements for student safety. The Ohio College mandates that students are not to go on second story roofs. The Kenyon teachers will look at rounding up local adult help for next year to grow their system.

Future Solar Goals

The Kenyon College group can only do so many schools a year, but they know how great the needs is. They want to multiply their efforts. This year they started an assessment stage to see if it is feasible to start teaching interested parties at schools or in the communities that are willing to help do school installations. At $900 USD, 4-panel system and double for 8 panels, it will be possible for more schools to raise funds and go solar.

Solar for 5 Schools In Belize

Picture collage courtesy of Steve Harp, featured image courtesy of James Skon.

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

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Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice... to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local... information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do what... everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
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THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

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