SunPower Foundation Supports Rural Philippines
On the Philippine island of Mindanao the SunPower Foundation, a non-profit organization funded by SunPower has announced its commitment to support the third phase of the Alliance for Mindanao Off-Grid Renewable Energy (AMORE III), a program to support renewable energy development, education and training in the region. AMORE III is a partnership of the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Philippine Department of Energy, SunPower Foundation and Winrock International.
The SunPower Foundation has committed to provide technology, equipment and volunteers for the installation of solar power systems on 150 schools serving approximately 135,000 students. The solar systems are expected to power lighting, computers and Internet connectivity. The Foundation will also participate in efforts to achieve the electrification of 12,000 homes with solar power, micro-hydro and other renewable energy systems.
"SunPower has been an active partner in the AMORE program, bringing solar electrification to rural areas in the Philippines, since 2004. We have provided volunteers and solar technology for installations on approximately 6,000 homes and schools to date," said Jan Soderstrom, SunPower chief marketing officer and member of the SunPower Foundation board of directors. "We are very pleased to continue our affiliation with this third phase of the program, which supports the mission of the SunPower Foundation to 'give back' through education and building stronger communities."
In addition to facilitating the delivery of solar power systems, the SunPower Foundation's participation in AMORE III helps provide energy education activities designed to interest students in renewable energy and environmental issues, and careers in clean energy and other technical fields. The Foundation will also support AMORE III solar technical training activities to develop a new workforce of solar technicians and engineers.
The SunPower Foundation support for AMORE III will begin by the end of this year, and continue into 2014.