Did you know that 1 billion people in the world do not have access to electricity? Light Up The World (LUTW) brings solar electricity to families living off-the-grid.

LUTW established its first field office in Peru to serve the estimated 4 million people in the country without access to electricity. While the office opened in 2010, LUTW has been supporting off-grid families transition to renewable energy in Peru since 2004. LUTW has prioritized working with partners in the regions of Apurimac, Huancavelica and Loreto: some of the most remote and under served parts of Peru.

SAIT has partnered with LUTW. There are 7 SAIT Electrical Engineering Technology students and two instructors traveling to Peru to install PV systems in a remote region with no access to electricity.

The group of SAIT students will participate in training the local people and assess previously installed systems.

Why are we doing this?

Our goal is to raise awareness of the importance of access to clean energy and show the possibilities of application of PV technology.

Energy facilitates education. In many parts of the world, children work and do chores before and after school while there is daylight. This means that if there is a time to study, it’s usually in the evening. For hundreds of millions of students, living without electricity means that when darkness falls, their only option to study is by the dim light of a kerosene wick lamp. Quality home lighting immediately improves conditions for education in the home.

Living without electric light is expensive. A lack of access to electricity means some families spend as much as one third of their monthly income on inefficient lighting solutions such as kerosene, candles and single use batteries. With renewable energy systems that cost much less than burning kerosene on a daily basis, families have more disposable income they can spend on other priorities such as school fees, health care or a small business.

Clean energy is an investment in health. The toxic by-products released by burning fuels for light present a myriad of health and environmental issues. Fuel sources such as kerosene are a primary source of greenhouse gas emissions. Years of inhaling noxious gases can lead to severe respiratory illness and an open flame in the home increases the threat of fire and burns. Clean energy greatly reduces health risks.

How can you help?  

Donations from people like you is what will make this trip possible!

We are looking to raise $4,000 to offset the travel costs to Peru. The money raised will be used to pay for travel and safety vaccinations.