About Powering Agriculture
Powering Agriculture: An Energy Grand Challenge for Development supports the development and deployment of clean energy innovations that increase agriculture productivity and stimulate low carbon economic growth in the agriculture sector of developing countries to help end extreme poverty and extreme hunger.
An electricity meter remains affixed to one of the few intact elements of a microgrid customer's home in Les Anglais. Photo: EarthSpark
EarthSpark International’s work in Les Anglais was significantly disrupted by Hurricane Matthew’s impact. Approximately 90 people were killed in the storm, and many more lost their homes. The grid itself fared comparatively well, but since most of the customers connected to it lost their homes, the distribution system will need to be completely reconstructed once new homes are built.
EarthSpark is hard at work preparing to power these homes and local businesses again once the community rebuilds. You can read more about their experiences during and after Hurricane Matthew at their blog.
The future of rural electrification may be SharedSolar systems, which connect users to a nearby microgrid. Pre-paid cards, purchased from local vendors, are used to access electricity. Husk Power Systems and Earthspark are both working toward making this a reality for more rural residents.
Take a look at how access to electricity is transforming education in Les Anglais, Haiti. EarthSpark's important work is giving kids a chance at a more secure future.
EarthSpark International has a chat with a carpenter and a retailer in Les Anglais, Haiti, and asks them how electrification has transformed their businesses. Not only are they thriving, they're both making plans for expansion!
