Solar and Storage for Casa Hogar Infantil Uriel

Casa Hogar Infantil Uriel (Casa Uriel) is a safe home for 35 children and adolescents in Tijuana, providing care, education, and a nurturing environment built on the principles of Love, Dignity, Honesty, Responsibility, Justice, and Autonomy. Since its founding in 2019, Casa Uriel has worked to create opportunities and stability for children in vulnerable situations.

In 2024, GRID Alternatives partnered with Casa Uriel to bring solar power and battery storage to the home. The project installed a 10 kW grid-tied solar system with a 20 kWh battery backup, cutting electricity costs by up to 90% and giving the orphanage reliable power during frequent blackouts. This investment ensures the home can preserve food, reduce expenses, and continue providing essential care without interruption.

Private orphanages like Casa Uriel receive no government funding and often rely on one-time donations of toys or books. By reducing energy costs, the home can reinvest its savings, about USD $180 per month for the next 20+ years - into clothes, medicine, school supplies, and other essentials that directly improve children’s quality of life.

Environmental and Community Benefits

The project will prevent at least 220 metric tons of carbon emissions, equivalent to planting nearly 3,600 trees. Beyond financial relief, the system contributes to a healthier environment for all.

At the same time, the installation created valuable workforce opportunities. A gender-balanced group of eight renewable energy students joined the project, gaining 40+ hours of hands-on training while serving their community and preparing for careers in the growing solar industry.

The Impact at a Glance

• USD $180/month in savings for 20+ years

• Improved quality of life for 35 children and 10 staff members

• 40+ hours of workforce training for 8 students

• Carbon reduction equivalent to 3,600 trees planted

A Brighter Future

With reliable solar power, Casa Uriel can focus its resources on the children rather than electricity bills. The project not only strengthens the home’s operations but also serves as a model for how renewable energy can create lasting social, environmental, and community impact. View more Project Photos: Casa Uriel Gallery.

We are proud to share that Casa Hogar Infantil Uriel in Tijuana, Mexico is now running on solar power! Our 12.4kW solar system will save the orphanage funds which will be reinvested into the 35 children who live there. On top of reducing its carbon footprint, the home's solar system helped support local green jobs while providing a real-life example of clean energy for the kids and greater community.

We could not have gone solar without the support of our community as well as the support of Hammond Climate Solutions Foundation’s Solar Moonshot Program, which provided a $20,000 grant for our project. Many thanks to the renewable energy students from Universidad Tecnológica de Tijuana (UTT) who helped install the system this week along with the GRID Alternatives Mexico team. Last but not least, thanks to Savant for supporting this project with a PS20 Power System and Director Unit.