January 27, 2020

In December of 2015, we tragically lost our solar brother Colin Bashant. It was a part of Colin’s mission to install solar energy “in different climates, for different demographics with varying production needs, to best understand the most effective way for renewable energy to proliferate and satisfy global energy demands”. With the support of Colin’s friends, family, and community, a trip to Chitas, Guatemala was made possible to install solar for a rural village school to honor Colin’s life.

With solar equipment and a handful of donated laptops, Sunsense installers Jes Sanderford and Kevin Lundy landed in Antigua, Guatemala on February 25th 2017.

After leaving Antigua and travelling for nearly 12 hours, Jes and Kevin arrived in Chitas.

With the help of the Guatemala based Appropriate Technology Collaborative (ATC) and SEA Energia Solar, Sunsense was able to install an off grid PV system that will power both the Chitas school and small computer lab.

Monika of ATC, Jose of SEA, as well as Kevin and Jes trained local community members on how to maintain the solar PV system. Below is a picture of Jose teaching and the system’s inverter.

Traditional dances were performed to show appreciation for the new solar PV system.

Village members installed a plaque in memory of Colin and his legacy.

To be able to continue Colin’s work through this solar PV system that will give light to people who otherwise would have none, was incredibly moving for all of us here at Sunsense. Hopefully we will be able to do more similar systems in the future.

Learn more about The Appropriate Technology Collaborative (ATC) and how you can volunteer.