| "Enersol's activities are creative and well thought out. Probably what impresses me most is their focus on community development and support. I have seen many projects in developing countries fail when inevitable difficulties arise. Enersol's focus on working together with local communities and training local people to help install and then maintain systems is key to their long-term success. Their expertise in the renewable energy field, coupled with their genuine interest in the people they serve, set them apart. They accomplish a great deal that will survive over time. They are a good investment."
—Paul G. Jenson, Rotarian "Enersol has parlayed modest grants... into the creation of a nearly self-sustaining solar industry in the Dominican Republic… Other organizations are now copying the approach in China, Honduras, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe." —"State of the World – 1997" (page 146), Lester R. Brown, Christopher Flavin, Hilary French "My firm has been a long supporter of Enersol. We install solar electric systems throughout New England, mostly for people with considerable means. While securing solar panels on a roof, I often think of who else might be performing a similar task throughout the world at that particular moment and it is gratifying to consider that Enersol trained technicians are likely to be wiring the same equipment for a village water pumping or lighting system in the Dominican Republic or Honduras. I think of Enersol as a "solar power for peace" program since it offers the best of high technology, environmentally sound, requiring no fuel, and technically clean. It's a program helping the hygiene revolution in the third world." —Christopher Derby Kilfoyle, President, Berkshire Photovoltaic Services, Massachusetts (individual supporter) "Enersol is in a unique position to strongly influence the manner and rate in which rural communities receive energy services in Latin America. Enersol understands the many levels of successful and sustainable project implementation. At the community level, they work with eager community members to develop and implement a management plan for construction foundation of the project and its long-term maintenance. This plan includes the community assignment of an executive oversight committee and community buy-in to a cost-recovery scheme. Enersol also works with suppliers of renewable energy equipment, providing training and other technical support, ensuring the technical quality of the installed projects. Throughout the process, Enersol actively seeks appropriate government and non-government organizations to partner with them in the projects. By working closely and maintaining communications with partners, Enersol's influence reaches far beyond the direct recipients of any given project. "Having seen this process firsthand, I know that Enersol will continue to be a leader in the sustainable provision of renewable energy in Latin America, whether to power computers for rural kids or water pumping and purifying systems for remote communities. Their local presence allows them to work with communities over the long term, both before and after projects are installed. With the visibility and promotion of their present projects, Enersol will positively influence the decisions and actions of developers and suppliers in the region for many years to come." —Charles J. Hanley, International Programs Office, Sandia National Laboratories (funder) "The folks at Enersol have consistently shown a true commitment to their mission to provide educational systems and equipment to rural third-world countries using alternative energy. During the course of years that we have helped raise funds for their projects, Alternative Gifts International has had the opportunity to review their administrative strengths, their program elements, and their sustainable investments in both Honduras and Dominican Republic in rural schools and water development. Solar applications around the world continue to meet the needs of countless remote villagers and their children. AGI supports and promotes such far-sighted endeavors. We are pleased to offer our recommendation to you on their behalf." —Harriet Prichard, Founder and President of Alternative Gifts International (funder) US Aid in the Dominican Republic (PDF article in Spanish). |
