SOLAR POWER SHOULD BE OFFERED CHEAPLY IN HAITI

June 14, 2021 By Rylee

To the editor,

I believe solar power should be offered cheaply in Haiti to help residents get electricity and heal their environment. Only 1 out of 3 Haitian household have access to a source of power. With the extreme amount of sun in Haiti solar power is the perfect renewable energy source for Haiti to use.

According to Anabela Abreu, World Bank’s Country Director for Haiti, “Haiti has significant untapped sources of renewable energy”. Offering this renewable energy cheaply to all the residents in Haiti would greatly improve many people’s lifestyle. Only about 20% of the 10 million residents in Haiti have access to electricity; for those who do have access the electricity is not reliable and very sparse. In doing this not only would the villages have full access to power, but the residents in rural areas would also have access to reliable power.

Solar power gives Haitians the health care they need. In an article from The Guardian, it was stated that there is a solar hospital in Haiti that strictly runs off the 1,800 rooftop solar panels. These panels have generated enough energy to charge more than 19,000 electric cars, run six surgical suites, attend to over 60,000 patients, and safely deliver more than 800 babies. Jeff Marvin, of Partners in Health, stated that “The number of deliveries is a pretty substantial fact considering that approximately three-fourths of women in rural Haiti give birth at home. The hospital is helping to meet a substantial unmet need”. For Haitians this is a look in the future to what their beautiful sunshine can do for them.

Majority of Haitians rely on wood and charcoal for power. This has destroyed their rainforest and land completely. The deforestation in Haiti is atrocious. Solar power can help to replenish their trees while giving all of Haiti reliable power. There was a campaign and solar lamps were handed out for free in Haiti to bring light to families. Elanna Veldkamp said, “This is the biggest endeavour that has brought high-quality personal, portable and self-sufficient solar LED lighting to Haitian families,”. Offering cheap solar power in Haiti could bring an ever-lasting change.

Sincerely, Rylee B