Solar Energy Foundation launches Philippines typhoon relief appeal

Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation Germany - and its counterpart in the Philippines have launched an appeal for aid as the two organisations attempt to help some of the areas worst affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

One of the consequences of Typhoon Haiyan, one of the worst natural disasters to hit the Philippines and one of the strongest tropical storms ever recorded, has been a collapsing of energy supplies.

The Philippines Solar Energy Foundation is attempting to provide solar equipment for relief efforts. This will include providing equipment to search and rescue, hospital operations, relief centres and communications. According to the two organisations, due in part to the worsening security situation which has seen widespread looting, being able to provide light at night time is a vital aspect of relief work.  

Stiftung Solarenegie works for “rural development and poverty alleviation by providing solar energy in rural and marginalised areas worldwide”.

Their efforts to date have included replacing dirty and dangerous kerosene lamp lighting in Ethiopia with solar. The foundation has already done extensive work through the Philippines Solar Energy Foundation with projects including the provision of off-grid solar powered lighting and rental schemes for portable solar lamps in the Philippines.

For more information on how to contribute to relief efforts please visit the Stiftung Solarenergie website: http://www.solar-energy-foundation.org/Donate,633.html

In related news, construction on a recently announced 22MW project  by Conergy in San Carlos City in the Philippine province of Negros Occidental, will go ahead as planned. A Conergy spokeswoman told PV-Tech by email that the project “has not been affected by the recent typhoon”.

Although there was some damage to houses and agricultural land in the area where the planned plant will be located, the area was relatively unaffected and construction will continue as normal.