
With the installation of a solar-powered water pump and a 5000 liter storage tank, the Chivarrias will now be able to instead harness the natural powers of sun and gravity to sufficiently water the entire extent of their farm fields, drip by drip. A solar photovoltaic (PV) system now powers the submerged water pump during the day to move water from a nearby river to the storage tank, and the water can be moved to the crops as needed by gravity. The PV system is a DC-direct stand-alone system with no batteries, which means no battery purchase, replacement or maintenance is necessary.

Alongside the Chivarria family and GRID staff, four Nicaraguan volunteers participated in the installation of the system, including renewable energy students and individuals interested in developing their knowledge of the solar energy field. This was the eighth solar-powered drip irrigation system that GRID has installed in Nicaragua, and the team was excited to bring clean energy and greater economic opportunities to the Chavarria family, in addition to greater food production and availability to the community of Colón. See photos from the installation!
