The Luna family lives in the department of Boaco in Nicaragua. Their community does not have access to the national electric grid, so the family has been getting water from a nearby well using a gasoline generator which costs the family about $25 per week, creates noise and air pollution, and requires the family to travel to buy gas. The plants have been watered by hand, which often results in water waste and inconsistent irrigation.
In March 2024 GRID's team in Nicaragua together with solar job trainees installed a solar-powered sprinkler irrigation system to help offset the gasoline cost and emissions and allowing the plants to receive water all year round. Solar panels pump water from the well into a storage tank and gravity delivers the water to the plants through a sprinkler irrigation system, giving the plants a regular supply water and saving the family time since they no longer have to hand water their plants.
The irrigation system will be used to irrigate the crops, to bring water to the cattle, chickens and pigs, and will provide water for the Luna family and nearby families. Having access to water is essential for families, animals and crops to prosper and clean energy makes this system both economically and environmentally sustainable.
See more photos here.
