How Solar Energy Transforms Lives

We believe clean, renewable energy is so much more than just electricity; it’s about improving lives, creating opportunities, and protecting our planet. Over 800 million people live without access to electricity and more than 1 billion live without reliable power–limiting their access to education, healthcare, clean water, communication, and economic opportunity. Solar energy has the power to change that.

Since our founding, Empowered by Light has completed over 100 projects in 10 countries, providing solar energy solutions to some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. We’ve seen how solar power can make a difference—lighting schools, providing access to health care, helping protect land and wildlife, providing clean water, and even enabling transportation in remote regions.

These are some of the ways we’ve seen solar energy help people thrive, with real examples from around the globe.

Energy access grows opportunity

The solar-powered pumps, holding tanks and irrigation systems we’ve installed for several remote communities in Zambia are enabling the women’s groups that oversee the gardens to grow more food to feed their families and transition from subsistence farming to commercial farming. One example is Chutika, where the Chutika Women’s Club oversees the solar energy system and the community’s gardens. The women had the dangerous and arduous job of collecting water–walking to and from the river balancing 5-gallon buckets of water on their heads. This process took many hours a day, several days a week, while exposing them to deadly animals, such as hippos and crocodiles. Now the women can complete their work safely and faster.

On the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, in Montana, USA, 14 percent of Native households have no access to electricity. We partnered with indigenous-led organizations to install a solar and energy storage (battery) system on a community-use facility. This installation served as a training opportunity for members of the Cheyenne community who received hands-on solar energy installation training while helping complete the project. With their training and access to electricity this project gave the community an opportunity for economic development while reducing costs and carbon emissions with clean energy.

Solar energy builds resilience

Hurricane María devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017. The aftermath resulted in the longest blackout in US history with some areas waiting up to a year to have power restored. In the weeks following the storm, Empowered by Light began installing solar energy systems at 11 fire stations on the island. These installations allowed first responders to continue taking 911 calls, dispatching personnel and effectively serving their communities. It also provided places for community members to go to charge their electronic devices in order to stay connected with loved ones and rebuild their lives after the disaster.

We’ve since installed systems at eight community centers which serve multiple purposes from educational activities and meeting places, to shelters during grid outages and other emergencies. One example is the La Mina Community Center in Naguabo. Weeks after our installation, Tropical Storm Ernesto impacted the area causing several days of power outages. Community members were able to visit the center to charge their electronic devices and store their refrigerated medications allowing them to stay connected and reduce risk of health complications.

Solar improves health

Water is essential to life, and clean water is essential to our health. In the Brazilian Amazon, we’ve installed solar-powered water pumps for several indigenous communities whose previous source of water–their nearby rivers, had become polluted from runoff from illegal mining operations. The solar pumps allow the Munduruku and Huni Kuin communities we’ve supported to easily access clean water reducing the rates of water-borne illnesses. 

In another example, at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Empowered by Light was able to provide solar powered telemedicine systems at four indigenous communities in the Brazilian Amazon. One of these communities was a 600-person Xingu community where we powered the community’s health clinic. With an additional donation of medical supplies and communications equipment, the community was able to communicate directly through telemedicine with health care providers at major hospitals to diagnose and effectively treat medical conditions in the community.

Solar supports the most vulnerable

Children and the elderly are the most vulnerable members of our communities and we prioritize projects that improve the safety, protection, and wellbeing of these groups. 

EBL has installed solar energy systems at two low-income elderly care homes in Puerto Rico allowing caregivers to continue providing food and medical care, and ensuring the well-being of the residents during the island’s frequent power outages. Also in Puerto Rico, we installed solar energy systems for two children’s homes. The children in these homes, who range in age from 0 to 12 years old, have experienced the unimaginable and need stability and care to recover and thrive. The systems allow the staff to continue caring for the children during grid outages and prevent the children from having to be in the dark.

Nelson Mandela said that “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world”, and we believe strongly in giving children the opportunity and resources to learn. In Zambia we’ve installed solar energy and storage systems on five remote schools allowing hundreds of students to study after dark, enabling teachers to teach more effectively and boosting student and teacher safety and morale. The pass rates for students at one school went up by 89% the year after we installed the system, and at another school, student enrollment more than doubled after we installed the solar energy system. 

Solar enhances communication and transportation

We’ve installed solar+storage systems with satellite communications systems for more than 20 indigenous communities in the Amazon. The energy systems power satellite internet and radios so communities can organize more effectively to protect their lands and communicate with the government when illegal activities, such as illegal logging and mining, occur on their lands. 

We’ve also supported a solar powered boat and recharging station for the Achuar communities of Ecuador allowing community members to travel and transport goods among their communities while reducing their dependence on costly and polluting diesel.

Solar Energy is a catalyst for change

Solar energy is more than just a power source—it’s a lifeline. From powering fire stations in Puerto Rico, to providing clean water in Nepal, enabling telemedicine in the Amazon, educating children in Zambia, and supporting Indigenous communities in their fight to protect their lands, solar energy creates opportunities and builds more sustainable and resilient communities.

We’ve seen firsthand how access to clean, renewable energy transforms lives and moves us towards a more just and sustainable future. But there’s still much work to be done.

You can power change. Your support will help bring clean energy to the communities that need it most—whether it’s keeping a health clinic running, ensuring children have a safe place to learn, or empowering environmental defenders to protect their land. 

Join us today!