EL SOL
Renewable energy for warm water
In the highlands of Bolivia, the preparation of warm water involves high costs. Commonly electricity is used as a source of energy. Since warm water contributes essentially to an enhancement of one's standard of living and to an improvement of sanitary conditions, a concept was developed to use solar collectors with the intention to prepare warm water by means of simple technology and the use of renewable energy. During the first workshop in 2005 at a technical school in Altiplano at an altitude of 4,000m about 1-hour drive from La Paz, sun collectors were constructed, following do-it-yourself guidelines, and installed. To extend this project, two years later more trainings were given to adult groups and more collectors were set up.
An idea catches on
To spread solar thermal systems in Bolivia efficiently on a wide basis, an ambitious, two-year project was launched in 2009 in corporation with Austrian and Bolivian partner organizations to boost the existing solar sector. In the future, trained experts will be available to serve and build up the developing market of solar products. A financial plan enables disadvantaged people to buy technically mature collectors. And, the first conference on solar thermal systems in Bolivia is intended to establish that technology on a long run. The project is subsidized by funds from the Austrian Development Cooperation.