Savo Solar Initiative
Fighting climate change & energy poverty on its front-lines in Solomon Islands
A BlueVolt Project, Funded by the Honnold Foundation.
The Sunset Lodge, Savo Island.
Can Australian clean-tech help overcome energy injustice in the Pacific?
In 2019, this simple question drove a new initiative to bring Australian designed and produce clean energy technology to communities on the front lines of climate change.
On the island of Savo, Solomon Islands, economic opportunity is stifled by a lack of energy access, and an over-reliance of diesel electricity generation stifles what little economic activity is there.
In April 2019, Savo’s energy woes served as a case study in my research report published through the McKell Institute. Savo’s energy challenge typified those seen across the Pacific, and its proximity to Honiara made it a natural place to pilot new and innovative solutions for this regional problem.
That report made the case that Australian clean-tech firms, alongside local firms, had a key role to play in meeting the region’s growing energy needs.
A Savo Islander.
It’s a message that resonated with BlueVolt founder and CEO, Dr. Matt Edwards. BlueVolt are an Australia solar firm dedicated to delivering clean energy to underserved markets — not just in Australia, but all over the world.
In November 2019, BlueVolt & I travelled to Savo, working with the Sunset Lodge, the community and local authorities to identify how best to overcome their energy challenges, before seeking funding to realise the vision first outlined in the McKell Institute research.
This April, the team were honoured to receive financial support from the Honnold Foundation.
Saving money & the environment on a climate front-line
Savo Islander, Wilfred.
The Savo Solar Initiative, will see a solar + storage system installed in a strategic tourism hub, around which the local economy of the village of Kuila almost entirely depends. The project will see US$8,000-$12,000 saved per year on diesel, and allow for enough energy to run community amenities as well as meet local business requirements.
