Join the Solar Head of State nonprofit board!

Join our team to spread solar power around the world! We are looking to recruit several nonprofit board members (voluntary position) with desirable skills in accounting, nonprofit governance or fundraising. Most importantly we want dedicated individuals keen to impact renewable energy and make a difference!

Interested applicants please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Z4Kxc51BYc6JFrrE6

Overview of SHOS

Solar Head of State (SHOS) is a non-profit organization formed by a worldwide team of grassroots activists and social entrepreneurs from around the globe. Our model was inspired by a campaign initiated in 1979 by US president Jimmy Carter who had solar water heaters installed on the White House to conserve energy and set an example for the American public amidst an energy crisis.

We support world leaders championing progressive renewable energy policy, acting as a catalyst for wider adoption of new solutions for solar and renewable energy. We have successfully installed a solar PV system at the Executive Office of the Government of Jamaica and at the residence of the Governor-General of the Government of Saint Lucia, among others. SHOS has also conducted Solar Challenges in the Caribbean Islands – engaging youth to innovate sustainable local solutions, and has a number of installations and community engagement programs underway in the Pacific Islands. SHOS plans to grow and deploy these programs world-wide, focusing on small island developing states and other emerging markets where such outcomes have the greatest impact. We are currently implementing a project with the Pacific Island Development Forum and UNDP across 11 Pacific island nations, funded by the Government of India.

Role

We are recruiting for several positions to join our Board of Directors. The three positions currently open are:

• Fundraising & Development

• Nonprofit Governance & Leadership

• Accounting & Finance

 Board of Directors role:

·      Voluntary position

·      4 hours/week 

Desirable skills are listed below. We do not expect every applicant to have all of these skills.

·      Experience with US (and especially California) tax and nonprofit regulations

·      Finance & Accounting expertise

·      Non-profit leadership experience

·      Fundraising & Development experience

You will have the opportunity to work with a group of dedicated international experts and leaders in the field of renewable energy!

We appreciate all who apply to this unpaid volunteer position, and for those who are looking to make our world leaders become green leaders.

Deadline: posting will stay active until filled.

Interested applicants please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/Z4Kxc51BYc6JFrrE6

Vote Solar's Adam Browning joins Solar Head of State Advisors

We are thrilled to welcome Adam Browning, co-founder and Executive Director of Vote Solar, to the Solar Head of State Advisory Council.

Vote Solar is a non-profit advocacy organization with the mission of bringing solar energy into the mainstream. Vote Solar works to repower the U.S. with clean energy by making solar power more accessible and affordable to all through effective state-level advocacy. Vote Solar’s goal is a 100% clean energy system (with the majority of energy coming from solar) that puts the interests, health, and well-being of people at its center. Vote Solar’s headquarters is in Oakland, California, with 30 advocates in 13 offices around the country.

Prior to Vote Solar, Adam spent eight years with the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s San Francisco office, where he won the Agency’s top pollution prevention award for developing a program that reduced air emissions of mercury. Adam received a BA with Distinction from Swarthmore College in 1992, and served with the Peace Corps in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa.

Winners of the Guyana Solar Challenge

The Guyana Solar Challenge is a competition that invited young people from across the country to create innovative communication projects and educate their communities about the benefits of renewable energy. 

The awards ceremony held at the CARICOM Secretariat Headquarters where the winners were awarded prizes presented by the challenge sponsors. Participants were provided with guidelines to design projects that inspire their communities to recognize and learn about the benefits of solar energy. The challenge received a variety of submissions, ranging from essays, poetry, informational videos to songs and art. 

The winning projects, awarded with prizes, were able to demonstrate creativity and ability to communicate effectively and with originality the advantages of adopting renewable energy sources for Guyana. The winning projects each received a trophy, certificate of participation and cash prizes.

Solar Head of State would like to thank the sponsors for the event: Guyana Power and Light Inc, MPC Capital, Guyana Ministry of Environment, and Public Services International. With a special thanks to our partners: CARICOM Energy, Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) and Commonwealth Youth Council (CYC).

Solar Head of State has successfully run its second community solar competition as part of the broader effort to empower young people with the necessary tools to become tomorrow's leaders. You can see the video from last year’s Jamaica Solar Challenge here.

If you would like to help us run more solar challenges across the Caribbean, please get in touch to discuss sponsorship! For further information on the Guyana Solar Challenge, please follow this link.

First prize G$100,000: Renuka Persaud (age 19), University of the West Indies

Winning entry to Solar Head of State's Guyana Solar Challenge by Renuka Persaud.

Second prize G$60,000: Josiah Mentore (age 19), The Guyana Technical Institute

 
Third prize G$40,000: Omari Joseph (age 20), University of the West Indies

Fourth Prize Gift Voucher: Esther Watson (age 20)

4th place entry to Solar Head of State's Guyana Solar Challenge by Esther Watson.

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Berkeley's Dr Daniel Kammen joins Solar Head of State

We are thrilled to welcome Dr Daniel Kammen, a Distinguished Professor of Energy at the University of California, Berkeley and a former Science Envoy for the U.S. State Department, to the Solar Head of State Advisory Council.

Dr. Kammen is the Class of 1935 Distinguished Professor of Energy at the University of California, Berkeley, with parallel appointments in the Energy and Resources Group, the Goldman School of Public Policy, and the department of Nuclear Engineering. He was appointed the first Environment and Climate Partnership for the Americas (ECPA) Fellow by Secretary of State Hilary R. Clinton in April 2010.

Kammen is the founding director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL), Co-Director of the Berkeley Institute of the Environment, and Director of the Transportation Sustainability Research Center. He has founded or is on the board of over 10 companies, and has served the State of California and US federal government in expert and advisory capacities.

Dr. Kammen was educated in physics at Cornell and Harvard, and held postdoctoral positions at the California Institute of Technology and Harvard. He was Assistant Professor and Chair of the Science, Technology and Environmental Policy Program at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University before moving to the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Kammen has served as a contributing or coordinating lead author on various reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change since 1999. The IPCC shared the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. He serves on the Advisory Committee for Energy & Environment for the X-Prize Foundation.

During 2010-2011 Kammen served as the World Bank Group’s Chief Technical Specialist for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. He was appointed to this newly-created position in October 2010, in which he provided strategic leadership on policy, technical, and operational fronts. The aim is to enhance the operational impact of the Bank’s renewable energy and energy efficiency activities while expanding the institution’s role as an enabler of global dialogue on moving energy development to a cleaner and more sustainable pathway.


He has authored or co-authored 12 books, written more than 300 peer-reviewed journal publications, testified more than 40 times to U.S. state and federal congressional briefings, and has provided various governments with more than 50 technical reports. Dr. Kammen also served for many years on the Technical Review Board of the Global Environment Facility. He is a frequent contributor to or commentator in international news media, including Newsweek, Time, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Financial Times. Kammen has appeared on 60 Minutes (twice), Nova, Frontline, and hosted the six-part Discovery Channel series Ecopolis. Dr. Kammen is a Permanent Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences, a fellow of the American Physical Society. In the US, he serves on two National Academy of Sciences boards and panels.

SHOS makes Commitment to Action with Clinton Foundation

Solar Head of State board member Francesco Ranieri meets with Former US Present Bill Clinton.

Solar Head of State board members Dustin Jolley and Francesco Ranieri had the opportunity to attend the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Action Network on Post-Disaster Recovery meeting on St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands last week. At the meeting, Solar Head of State and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) declared their Commitment to Action, through which it will leverage the CGI Action Network.

A Commitment to Action – the defining feature of CGI – is a project, developed, and executed by CGI members, that addresses a significant challenge. Each commitment includes a detailed project plan that outlines clear and measurable objectives, a timeline and budget, and key steps required to achieve success. Commitments can be small or large, financial or non-monetary, and philanthropic or core business-related. Many commitments leverage new resources through cross-sector partnerships, with commitment-makers combining efforts to expand their impact.

Since the launch of the Action Network on Post-Disaster Recovery, CGI members have developed more than 55 Commitments to Action that address significant challenges in hurricane response and resiliency, such as expanding renewable energy, increasing access to health care services, and pre-positioning relief supplies.

SHOS and the OECS committed to develop and implement a regional strategy to install 12 photovoltaic power systems and battery energy storage systems on key government buildings in OECS Member States and the OECS Headquarters. Small island nations have the chance to lead by example by transitioning to clean, renewable energy sources and building more resilient grids – and political leaders can publicly showcase their commitment to clean energy with high-profile solar power installations.

Each installation will be coupled with a media strategy to promote knowledge of and support for the benefits of renewable energy in the OECS region among both political stakeholders and the general public. SHOS aims to pair at least two of the installations with national clean energy policy announcements.

For more information on the partnership see here. For the Clinton Foundation’s full press release click here.

Launch of the Guyana Solar Challenge

Solar Head of State (SHOS) and the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) are pleased to announce the launch of the Guyana Solar Challenge – a national competition to engage and educate youth nationwide about the benefits of renewable energy. Following the success of last year’s Jamaica Solar Challenge, SHOS is again partnering with a local chapter of CYEN to manage publicity and engagement related to the Solar Challenge. 

The Guyana Solar Challenge is open to young people between 12 and 26 years of age. Competitors are asked to harness their creative energies (in a form such as a song/video, art installation, performance piece, viral meme, sculpture) towards raising awareness about renewable energy, specifically its potential to deliver long-term economic benefits, reduce harmful environmental impacts, and increase energy security and independence for Guyana. Winning projects will demonstrate creativity and an ability to educate the public about the specific benefits of solar energy for Guyana.

Representatives from CYEN’s local Guyana chapter organized and managed the launch ceremony, which was held on Monday, 1 April 2019 at Cerulean Inc on Mandela Avenue in Georgetown. The launch ceremony was attended by students of the Government Technical Institute and Global Technology.  

Ms. Sandra Britton, Renewable Energy Liaison at the Department of Environment, was present and remarked: “I am really happy that young persons are now taking the initiative to share the concept of renewable energy and to promote it as Guyana transitions to a green economy. We have developed the Green State Development Strategy, which will be rolled out shortly, and within the strategy it is envisioned that Guyana will try to move towards 100% renewable energy by 2040.”

Representatives from the United Nations Environment Programme were also in attendance. Afterwards, a video overview of the Jamaica Solar Challenge - whose success the Solar Challenge partners are hoping to replicate in Guyana - was played for the audience.

 CYEN in Guyana shared live video of the proceedings via Instagram – they will continue to drive participation in the Guyana Solar Challenge via social media, as well as through their on-the-ground community networks and engagements with schools, tertiary education institutions, youth groups, and other NGOs.

 The first prize of GY$100,000 has been sponsored by MPC Renewable Energies GmbH, an international asset and investment management company. Second prize of a GY$15,000 voucher was sponsored by The Department of Environment which falls under the Ministry of the Presidency. The deadline to submit entries for the Guyana Solar Challenge is July 1st 2019.  

For more information please see: www.solarheadofstate.org/guyanasolarchallenge

Former Prime Minister Mike Eman joins Advisory Council

We are thrilled to welcome Mike Eman, the Former Prime Minister of Aruba, to the Solar Head of State Advisory Council.

Mike is a politician and civic leader, who served as the Prime Minister of Aruba from 2009 to 2017, designing and implementing a vision of sustainable and shared prosperity that put Aruba on the path to greater use of renewable energy, a diversified knowledge-based economy and a stronger sense of community and social cohesion.

Mike also served as President in 2016 of the Overseas Countries and Territories Association of the European Union, promoting a strategy to pursue sustainable development among its members. He advocated for a global transition to renewable energy, becoming a strong voice on the climate change threat facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS), speaking at key fora, including the U.N. Security Council (2015) and the U.N. 3rd International Conference on SIDS (2014).

Today, Mike continues to reside in Aruba and works tirelessly to support sustainable development for island communities and is an advocate for renewable energy.

Join us at the COP24 climate conference

This week, urgent negotiations on climate change will be taking place in Katowice, Poland. The chair of the talks just changed from Fiji to Poland - replacing a small island developing state (SIDS) vulnerable to the impacts of climate change with... Europe's biggest coal producer.

We want to help continue the leadership made for SIDS by Fiji and ensure these talks have positive outcomes for the countries most at risk of climate change. We are hosting two events (see below) with our partners at the Pacific Islands Development Forum to facilitate connections between SIDS and encourage the adoption of renewable energy.

Please share with anyone that is attending COP24. Thank you for supporting the global transition to renewable energy!

Winners of the Jamaica Solar Challenge

Jamaican youth showcase creativity in renewable energy competition

Solar Head of State, a nonprofit that helps world leaders become green leaders by installing solar panels on government buildings, has announced the winners of the Jamaica Solar Challenge, a competition that invites young people from across the country to create innovative communication projects and educate their communities about the benefits of renewable energy. A video about the Jamaica Solar Challenge and the winning entry is available here.

Awards were presented by the Most Hon. Prime Minister Andrew Holness during a ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister of Jamaica, which has recently commissioned its high-efficiency, state-of-the-art solar PV array. The solar installation demonstrates Jamaica's commitment to a 50% renewable energy transition for electricity generation by 2030.

Students and participants were provided with guidelines to design projects that inspire their communities to recognize and learn about the benefits of solar power. The many submissions received have taken a variety of forms, whether written, displayed, or performed. The winning projects, awarded with prizes, were able to demonstrate creativity and ability to communicate effectively and with originality the advantages of adopting renewable energy sources for Jamaicans.

The winning projects each received a trophy, Bresheh backpack and cash prize sponsored by the Caribbean Climate Innovation Center:

• First prize J$75,000 (~US$570): Ryan Bent (age 21) of the University of the West Indies and Negril

• Second prize [Team entry] J$40,000 (~US$300): Amy Hussey (age 17), Adrienne Lee and Eva Wynter (age 15) of the American International School of Kingston

• Third prize J$17,500 (~US$130): Phillip Llewellyn (age 19) from Trenchtown, Kingston

Runners up each received J$12,500 (~US$95) and a certificate of commendation. This was awarded to Timoy Chambers (age 14) of Westmoreland Parish, Jarda Nelson (age 19) of UWI and Portmore, and Shenelle Mclaughlin (age 20) of Portmore.

Major sponsors for the event were the Caribbean Climate Innovation Center, Public Services International, the Jamaica Association of Local Government Officers. Additional support was received from Bresheh, RECAM, and the Florida Intercultural Academy. Youth groups partners included the Caribbean Youth Environment Network and the Commonwealth Youth Council. Solar Head of State has run a first-of-its-kind community solar competition as part of the broader effort to empower young people with the necessary tools to become tomorrow's leaders.

Caribbean islands like Jamaica are really embracing renewable energy as part of their plans to become decarbonized in the coming decades. Following similar installations by the President of the Maldives and Governor-General of Saint Lucia, Jamaica’s prominent adoption of solar sets an example for other nations around the world that renewable energy can make a global impact. While island nations such as Jamaica are the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change, this project along with the Jamaica Solar Challenge is a reminder that they are also leading in finding solutions.

If you would like to help us run more solar challenges across the Caribbean, please get in touch to discuss sponsorship!

Jamaica's Prime Minister Goes Solar [Press Release]

Jamaican Prime Minister Reveals Personal Ambition for 50% Renewables by 2030 While Installing Solar PV on his Public Offices

Caribbean Island Nation Joins Solar Head of State Coalition to Install Solar Panels on the Office of the Prime Minister in Effort to Combat Climate Change

October 16, 2018 – Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness today revealed his ambitions for the country to reach 50% renewable energy by 2030, up from the official policy of 30%. The aspiration was announced during the commissioning of his government office’s state-of-the-art solar PV array, a partnership with Solar Head of State, a nonprofit seeking to help world leaders become green leaders by installing solar panels on government buildings.

“I believe that we can do better. Jamaica has sunshine all year round and strong winds in certain parts of the island,” said Prime Minister Holness. “I have directed the government to increase our target from 30% to 50%, and our energy company is totally in agreement. So I believe that by 2030, Jamaica will be producing more than 50% of its electricity from renewables.”

Prime Minister Holness heralded the new solar installation on the Office of the Prime Minister as emblematic of the clean energy technologies that must be deployed by Caribbean islands to decarbonize economies, reduce regional fossil fuel use, and combat climate change.

Following similar installations by the President of the Maldives and Governor-General of Saint Lucia, Jamaica’s prominent adoption of solar sets an example for other nations around the world that renewable energy can make a global impact.

Despite emitting less than 1% of greenhouse gases, Jamaica and other Caribbean Islands are taking bold strides to reach ambitious renewable energy goals: The top ten contributing countries to global greenhouse gas emissions contribute 72% of those gases, while the bottom 100 contributing countries emit less than 3%. The consequences of these emissions, however, fall on many of the least significant contributors, in the form of climate change. Leaders of impacted nations like Jamaica see a moral imperative to demonstrate leadership on renewable energy. Last week’s IPCC report emphasised the danger posed to island nations by climate change.

“Due to climate change, small island developing states (SIDS) need to leverage renewable resources such as solar,” said Solar Head of State Director James Ellsmoor. “We are focused on installing highly visible solar arrays on public buildings to draw greater attention to renewables. Jamaica’s commitment to ushering in a new era of renewable energy is laudable.”

Due to a historic lack of diversification of energy resources, Jamaica has been heavily reliant on imported fossils fuels, resulting in CO2 emissions and high electricity prices up to four times higher than the United States. Caribbean nations are also vulnerable to hurricanes and extreme weather; renewable energy increases islands’ resilience – stabilizing electricity supply in the wake of natural disasters.

The Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) – an initiative of the Clinton Foundation – has been honored to help advance clean energy projects in Jamaica, including Paradise Park solar park and Wigton Windfarm. Jesse Gerstin, Director of CCI, expressed support for this latest project, explaining “Investing in renewables can save money and create jobs, and although islands are on the frontlines of our changing climate, they also can be vanguards of solutions for our planet. Through this project, the Government of Jamaica is once again showing us how renewable energy can promote economic development and resiliency, and address climate change.”

The project relies on a partnership with Solaria Corporation, a global provider of solar module technologies. The new aesthetic PV array is a 15kW solar electric system comprised of Solaria PowerXT solar modules and Enphase Energy (NASDAQ:ENPH) microinverters. It is being deployed as Jamaica joins with other Caribbean nations in accelerating efforts to combat climate change.

The partnership had additional support from Solar Island Energy, a Missouri-based installation and engineering company, and Envisage Energy, a Jamaican solar installer. The project received additional support from Island Innovation, Elms Consulting, National Energy Solutions Limited and the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica.

“Solaria is very proud to be helping Jamaica transition to clean energy with this new state-of-the-art PowerXT solar array,” said Solaria CEO Suvi Sharma.  Solaria PowerXT modules ensure tremendous savings and efficiencies – in system design, field labor, installation time and costs.

Solar Head of State is assisting with PV deployment in Jamaica and other vulnerable nations around the world as they confront climate change, extreme weather events and sea level rise. Jamaica joins with other SIDS in embracing ambitious renewable energy projects.

For more information visit the Solar Head of State website and see the press kit.

About Solar Head of State: Working with governments to build an alliance of green leaders worldwide since 2010, SHOS installs solar PV systems on symbolic buildings leveraging the experience to create visibility and social impact. Acting as a catalyst for wider adoption of new solutions for renewable energy, SHOS efforts support global influencers championing solar, increasing awareness and impacting change through innovative efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Join us at the 10th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF)

Solar Head of State is pleased to be a media partner for the 10th Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum (CREF), the largest annual gathering of the Caribbean energy market. Presented by New Energy Events, CREF draws more than 500 attendees from 50 countries and speakers across multiple tracks, with sessions and workshops attended by governments and utilities from over 20 Caribbean jurisdictions.

This year's forum will also feature a half-day project finance matchmaking event, hosted by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), to connect developers to project finance providers and experts, while also offering them insights on project development, risk mitigation instruments and other issues essential to the successful financing of their projects.

In the decade since CREF was launched, the Caribbean has transitioned away from discussions around enabling a sustainable energy matrix, to one focused squarely on how to procure, finance and build world-class clean energy projects in the region. From utility scale to distributed generation, storage to microgrids, financing to procurement, energy efficiency to LNG, CREF is where the market meets and the discussion evolves. For more information or to register, visit newenergyevents.com/cref. Use the discount code SHS10CREF for a 10% discount.

SHOS joins IRENA's SIDS Lighthouse Initiative

Solar Head of State (SHOS) has been confirmed as a member of the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Lighthouse Initiative by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

The SIDS Lighthouse Initiative brings together 36 SIDS and 21 development partners to accelerate the renewable energy transition in SIDS by facilitating coordinated support for islands to scale-up renewable energy through partnerships with public and private organisations. Through the Lighthouse Initiative, SIDS have benefitted - among other things - from funding and advisory services including renewable energy roadmaps, policies and grid stability studies. Partnerships are key in addressing the specific challenges of SIDS in their energy transformation.

Solar Head of State is also a member of IRENA's Coalition for Action and looks forward to strengthening the collaboration through the addition of the SIDS Lighthouse Initiative.

Learn more about IRENA's SIDS Lighthouse Initiative here.

OECS and SHOS sign MoU to catalyse renewable energy adoption

The OECS Commission and Solar Head of State (SHOS), a non-profit association working with governments to demonstrate leadership on the implementation of the sustainable energy agenda, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on July 6, 2018 in Jamaica to support the vision of the OECS for a sustainable future and demonstrate the commitment of the leadership of the OECS to the global effort to address climate change and the need to reduce dependency on fossil fuels.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS Commission and Mr. James Ellsmoor, Director of SHOS.

In the main, the MoU will enable The OECS and SHOS to work collaboratively to develop and implement a regional strategy that seeks to generate public savings through the installation of solar photovoltaic power systems on key government buildings in OECS Member States.

The MoU formalises a framework of cooperation and facilitates collaboration between The OECS and SHOS to improve knowledge sharing and build capacity through the transfer of critical skills and global expertise in the design and installation of solar systems.

It is the hope that, the installation of solar systems on public government buildings will provide an opportunity to experience, first-hand, the proven benefits of renewable technologies thereby inspiring a global coalition of green leaders.

OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules said that,

“This MOU with Solar Head of State supports the mission of the OECS Commission to contribute to the sustainable development of OECS Member States by assisting them to maximise the benefits from their collective space.”

The SHOS team have already begun work in the OECS, installing the first solar system on the public residence of the Governor-General, at Government House in Saint Lucia. The 5.4kW grid-tied system will save 100 tons of carbon and save the government roughly US$150,000 in its lifetime.

What is the Caribbean Climate Innovation Center?

Solar Head of State is partnering with the Caribbean Climate Innovation Center  (CCIC) for the Jamaican Solar Challenge. While the Jamaican Solar Challenge aims to encourage youth involvement in solar energy education, the CCIC helps grow sustainability-orientated ideas into fully-fledged businesses. The Caribbean Climate Innovation Center is revolutionizing the way green technologies grow.

Jamaica is home to the hub of the Caribbean Climate Innovation Center, but the Center works with several other Caribbean Community territories. In addition, other Climate Innovation Centers are located in Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Vietnam, Morocco, and Ghana. Their overarching mission is focused around five central areas: renewable energy, water/waste management, sustainable agribusiness, resource use and efficiency, and energy efficiency.

The Center aids Caribbean communities in developing and implementing technologies that mitigate the effects of climate change. CCIC helps innovators from the ground up with their Caribbean Green Tech Startup Bootcamp. The Center provides tools to improve the developing technologies, and networking events at the Bootcamp allow attendees to form connections with the industry’s experts and mentors. 

CCIC’s Launchit Greentech is an accelerator “designed to promote the growth and development of clean technology around the region.” Through other services such as technology commercialization, market development, mentorship training, CCIC can serve as a launching point for your green organization.

The Center wants to address climate change at its roots. The Caribbean is one of the most vulnerable regions in the world to the effects of climate change, so CCIC wants to fortify the programs and initiatives of the greater Caribbean area to safeguard the Caribbean islands.

The entrepreneurs supported by the Caribbean Climate Innovation Center have immersed themselves in a variety of fields, from optimizing waste resource use to producing a device that monitors energy cost and usage. Visit this page to see where CCIC has taken climate innovators.

Launch of the Jamaica Solar Challenge

Solar Head of State is proud to announce the launch of the first ever Jamaica Solar Competition – a national competition for young people from across the country to learn more about the benefits of renewable energy.

Competitors aged 12 to 26 will be asked to design a project to inspire their local or school community to recognize the many advantages of solar energy. Winning projects will be those that demonstrate creativity and an ability to educate people about the specific benefits of solar energy for Jamaica. Entries can be individual or in teams of up to 3 people.

Entries can take a variety of forms: online, written, displayed, or performed. Examples could include photography art installations, posters, songs, dub poems, animations, essays, poetry, plays or videos. Submissions will be judged on their creativity and ability to communicate the importance of renewable energy in Jamaica.

There are two age groups (12-18; 19-26) each with three prizes on offer for winning entrants: 1st US$250, 2nd US$150 and 3rd $100. Teams can be comprised of individuals or up to three people. Prize money was donated by the Caribbean Climate Innovation Center.

Each winner with also receive a backpack donated by Bresheh, a Kingston-based social enterprise that designs and manufactures all its products in Jamaica. Other sponsors are the RECAM Conference and the Florida Intercultural Academy.

Winners will also be invited to attend an awards ceremony in Kingston to present their projects to a group of VIPs from government, business and civil society.

Local partners for the competition include the Scientific Research Council of Jamaica, Caribbean Youth Environment Network, Commonwealth Youth Council, World Merit Jamaica and Renewable Energy Caribbean.

For more information and resources visit: www.solarheadofstate.org/solarchallenge

Thanks to our principal sponsor CCIC for their contribution to the Jamaica Solar Challenge

Webinar: Energy Resilience in the Caribbean

How can the Caribbean and other island regions improve the resilience of their energy systems?

Later this month Solar Head of State will be hosting an expert panel to discuss strategies for creating a more sustainable future for the region, with lessons that will be applicable worldwide. Our guests are: 

★Daniel Kammen - Distinguished Professor of Energy at the University of California, Berkeley & former climate Science Envoy for the State Department

★James Fletcher - Former Saint Lucian Senator and Minister for Public Service, Information, Broadcasting, Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology

★Allison Archambault - President of Earthspark International

★Christiaan Gischler - Lead Energy Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank

There will be opportunities for the audience to submit their questions! 

To access the slides and other information please visit: http://www.bit.ly/caribbeanwebinar

COP23: Palau joins Solar Head of State

Palau to install solar panels on central government building: Symbolic of country’s aim to reach 45% renewable energy by 2025

The COP23 Climate Conference has been a special place for the Pacific this year. Today H.E Tommy E. Remengesau Jr., President of the Republic of Palau signed of the instrument of accession to the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) making it the organization’s 14th member. At the same time, the President, PIDF and Solar Head of State signed an MOU for Palau to benefit from the installation of solar panels on a yet to be determined government building.

The installation of solar on government buildings is symbolic of Palau and other Pacific states’ leadership on renewable energy and will serve as a physical embodiment of the government’s commitment to fighting climate change and using renewable energy.

The Pacific continues to demonstrate strong leadership by virtue of its ambitious renewable energy goals, including Palau’s aim to reach 45% renewable energy by 2025. Just last year Palau unveiled a new solar-hybrid desalinization plant capable of generating over 200 meters cubed of fresh water per day.

SHOS Director James Ellsmoor presents the model of enagagement with Palau.

PIDF Secretary General François Martel said of the event, “we are thrilled to have Palau join both the Pacific Islands Development Forum and Solar Head of State on the same day. This is a huge step towards greater intra-Pacific cooperation following the recent MOU with Tonga which was also done here at COP23.” 

Solar Head of State Director James Ellsmoor said, “COP23 has really highlighted the leadership of the Pacific. We are delighted that Palau has joined other island nations like Tonga and Jamaica to showcase solar energy in such a prominent way.”

As a member of PIDF Palau will benefit from a platform for cooperation between island states that prioritizes the re-balancing of the three pillars of development: society, environment and economy.

Presenting the signed MOU between SHOS, Palau and PIDF. From left to right: James Ellsmoor (SHOS), Palau Environment Minister Umi Sengebau, François Martel (PIDF).

Partnership with Caribbean Youth Environment network at COP23

During this year COP23 climate conference, the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) and Solar Head of State (SHOS) launched a partnership to promote education on renewable energy across the Caribbean region.

The CYEN is a non-profit, civil society, charitable body that focuses its resources on empowering young people and their communities to develop actions to address socio-economic and environmental issues. The CYEN programme aims at addressing issues such as poverty alleviation and youth employment, health and HIV/AIDS, climatic changes and global warming, impact of natural disasters/hazards, improvement in potable water, conservation and waste management and other natural resource management issues.

For this year’s COP23 climate conference in Bonn, Germany, the CYEN delegation includes youth from Haiti, Barbados, Aruba, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad & Tobago, St Lucia and the Bahamas. See the appendix for biographical information on each of the young people attending this year.

Solar Head of State is a non-profit organization that works in small island developing states to promote access to renewable energy. The organization last year partnered with the Government of Saint Lucia to install panels on the island’s Government House. Through a partnership with the Government of Jamaica, SHOS will install solar panels on Jamaica House, the Office of the Prime Minister.

The installation of panels on the national Leader’s official residence is symbolic of the wider leadership on renewable energy by SIDS, and serves a physical embodiment of Caribbean politician’s commitment to fighting climate change and using renewable energy.

CYEN and SHOS organizations will work together to run competitions and educational programs about renewable energy across CYEN’s 20 islands members.

The CYEN-SHOS press conference at COP23.

CYEN Delegation leader Alexandra Vanessa Destin Pierre said, “if the Small Island Developing States are worldwide known for their limited resources, there is one natural resource and source of energy which is practically unlimited and free all year long for all of our inhabitants: it is our sun. The COP23, Chaired for the first time by a SIDS country, is the ideal Conference for that wake-up call on the urgency to promote renewable energy within the Caribbean region. And for a sustainable impact, the Caribbean youths shall be in the frontline of this paradigm shift on renewable energy in order to achieve the collective consciousness essential to our resilience. This is the nexus of the collaboration and upcoming educational initiatives between the Caribbean Youth Environment Network and the Solar Head of State.”

Solar Head of State Director James Ellsmoor added, “our model draws attention to renewable energy through highly visible solar installations on public buildings and associated public engagement strategies such as competitions for students and community events. We are looking forward to adding to our youth engagement strategy through our work with the Caribbean Youth Environment Network and encouraging the Caribbean’s youth to participate in the region’s move towards renewable energy.”

Islands across the world are making headlines for ambitious renewable energy projects. Caribbean delegates at COP23 have been able to meet with youth from the Seychelles and Fiji, island nations facing the same climate change risks.

Islands typically have extremely high energy costs due to a lack of economies of scale and expensive fuel imports. On many islands, inefficient diesel generators have traditionally generated electricity. The high cost of diesel is an incentive to innovate new solutions.

With these high prices, renewable energy projects on islands can pay for themselves in as little as three years and free up capital in the long run for other needs. This means that renewable energy is justifiable in most islands on economics alone.

After hurricane’s this year across the Caribbean, youth are keenly aware of the need for resilient and sustainable energy sources. Renewable energy is an inevitability for the Caribbean, and the question is not if, but when.

CYEN delegation meets with SHOS Director at COP23.

Caribbean Youth Environment Network delegation to COP23:

-       Jamilla Sealy (Barbados)

At 29 years old, Jamilla Sealy is the current Regional Chairperson of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN). She has a Masters of Science in Natural Resources and Environment Management with a climate change focus. Through CYEN, she has become an avid advocate for climate change in her home country Barbados, as well as in the Caribbean region and on the international stage. She has specialised in educating youth and the general public about environmental issues in general. Jamilla has spearheaded the organisation of national consultations for the youth sector and civil society. Additionally, she has done work with the Action/2015 campaign in which climate change is one of the pillars. In 2015, she has also been named as a regional contributor to the GEO-6 report and a Commonwealth Young Achiever, in 2016 she became the UN-MGCY Regional Focal Point for Latin America and the Caribbean for Disaster Risk Reduction and most recently a Queens Young Leader Awardee for 2017. She represents the organisation and the views of Caribbean youth nationally, regionally and internationally, most recently at the UN Biodiversity Conference in Cancun, Mexico. Lastly, she has been an educator for 5 years teaching Environmental Science, Geography and Science at the secondary school level in Barbados. 

-       Tarran Simms (Bahamas)

Tarran Simms is a young sustainable tourism professional with over 9 years of experience in the eco-tourism and hospitality sector. Mr. Simms has a BSc in Small Island Sustainability with a focus in Development and Eco-tourism from the College of The Bahamas, and a MSc in International Hospitality and Tourism focus in tourism development from ESCP Europe Madrid campus. Mr. Simms career in sustainable tourism career started in The Bahamas at Small Hope Bay Lodge as the environmental coordinator of the property. During his tenure as environmental officer, he oversaw the re-establishment of the properties creative recycling program, and the implementation of hot water solar for the properties cabins, and hot tub, and solar cooling for the properties walking in freezers. Additionally Mr. Simms has worked for the Bolivian government as a Jr. Tourism Consultant attached to the Ministry of Tourism office of Tarija, Bolivia, and produce a comprehensive sustainable tourism roadmap for the region. Today Tarran is currently working as an assistant project coordinator in The Sustainable Tourism Unit of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism. The project is focus on the empowerment of local sport fishing guides, through a sustainable certification program that is being establish by The Bahamas Ministry Tourism & The Inter-American Development Bank. Mr. Simms sits on the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism Board, and is the incoming Assistant Executive Director of Andros Conservancy and Trust which is grass-root organization geared towards environmental education.

-       Snaliah Mahal (Saint Lucia)

Snaliah Mahal has previously served as Vice President of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network in Saint Lucia, and is its current National Coordinator. She represents CYEN in Saint Lucia on various boards and committees. She is a dedicated member and is a driver for the growth and development of the organisation. She has a passion for issues of environmental importance and is an avid advocate for youth development. Apart from the work she does with CYEN in Saint Lucia in building awareness of youth on issues of climate change and sustainable development, Snaliah also works as the Fund Assistant of the Saint Lucia National Conservation Fund (SLUNCF) and the start-up social enterprise Jua Kali Ltd, currently undertaking a resource recovery pilot project. She serves as at its Chief Operations Officer. She also owns a micro-business (7Ks) which specialises in upcycled handmade upcycled jewellery and home décor.

-       Kerricia Hobson (Grenada)

Kerricia Hobson is currently the National Coordinator of the Grenada Chapter of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network and represents her Chapter on the organisation's Regional Steering Committee as the Treasurer. Since joining CYEN, she has assisted in the coordination of various outreach activities, such as Earth Hour and International Coastal Clean-up, and represented the organisation at meetings and training nationally and regionally, as well as internationally.

Kerricia currently works as a consultant with the Environment Division of the Government of Grenada managing a Coastal Ecosystem-based Adaptation Project that illustrates the crucial role marine and coastal ecosystems can play as part of a national adaptation strategy, and to highlight the potential for partnerships and collaboration among a number of stakeholders in Government, Private Sector and local communities.

-       Alexandra Pierre (Haiti)

Alexandra Vanessa Destin PIERRE, form Haiti, has a minor in Architectural Engineering, a major in Water & Environment, M. Sc. and another major in Education for a sustainable development, M. Sc. She is the Coordinator of a climate resilience Project operated by the Directorate of Climate Change within the Ministry of Environment. She is also the National Adaptation Plan and the Caribbean Challenge Initiative focal point of the Ministry. Previously, Alexandra was the First Assistant at a Minister’s Cabinet after being a Consultant at the General Direction of the Ministry of Environment. She was the National Coordinator of the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (Haiti Chapter), before becoming a senior Advisor and worked as the Outreach Coordinator of Reef Check in Haiti. As a young water professional and a climate activist of Haiti, she collaborated with international institutions such as the International Secretariat of Water, Solidarity Water Europe, UNFPA, UNEP, UNICEF, OAS, UNESCO, Wings for Water, the Dutch government, the organization 350. Given her dynamism, Alexandra received several prizes and awards, for instance: Jean Wiener environmental research scholarship (2014) by the YSL Organization, Young female leader (2015) by YWCA Haiti, Most Outstanding Young Person of Haiti for the environment category (2015) by the Junior Chamber International, Award of excellence (2016) by the CYEN Regional Steering Committee, Promising personality (2017) by the Embassy of France in Haiti.

-       Miguel van der Velden (Aruba)

Miguel van der Velden is a 20-year-old born in Suriname and living on the island of Aruba from the age of 5. He joined CYEN as first member for a Dutch Caribbean island and is currently National Coordinator for Aruba. He is studying Sustainability and Journalism at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, and hopes to take what he learns back home and apply it to real-world sustainability issues in the region, to help forge a more sustainable and united Caribbean. He is also very interested in Indigenous knowledge and environmental issues as they relate to Indigenous peoples, and is exploring avenues to do research with the Wayuu communities of Colombia and Venezuela in the future.

-       Ashfred Norris (Dominica)

Ashfred Norris, an 18 year old from Dominica, is a member of the Dominica Youth Environment Organization and also CYEN, and a representative of the Japan- Caribbean Climate Change Partnership at this year's COY13 and COP23. He attends the Dominica State College where he's a Digital Humanities Research student who is currently employed at an internship at the Create Caribbean Research Institute. In addition he majors in Mass Communication and Entrepreneurship, where he hopes in the future to merge these two distinct areas of study to create a communications organization that focuses on the sensitization of the public, and dissemination of information relating to environmental and climate change matters.

-       Adelin Pierre (Haiti)

-       Michael Logie (Trinidad & Tobago)

Tonga announces solar for Royal Palace

Tonga’s Saint George Palace to install solar panels: Symbolic of country’s aim to reach 50% renewable energy by 2020

COP23 was chaired by Fiji and so had a focus on the impacts of climate change in the Pacific.

During an event held by Solar Head of State and the Pacific Islands Development Forum on the first day of COP23, the Pacific region’s advances in renewable energy took the spotlight. The event in the Fiji Pavilion featured speakers from the governments of Tonga, Niue, Tokelau and Palau and representatives from Greenpeace and ClimateWorks Australia to discuss the various successes of renewable energy in the region, and the benefit it is bringing residents.

The Pacific continues to demonstrate strong leadership by virtue of its ambitious renewable energy goals, including Tonga’s aim to reach 50% renewable energy by 2020. This includes a landmark 2MW solar PV system commissioned last month, the largest of its kind in the country.

In a symbolic move to showcase the island nation’s ambitious goals, Tonga announced the installation of solar panels for the Royal Palace as part of the Solar Head of State program. The installation will be the first of its kind in the Pacific as a national leader takes the personal step of use solar power for their official residence. The Tongan King will also become the world’s first monarch to use solar power.

Delegates sign the agreement for solar on St George's Palace. From left to right: Tonga's Paula Mau'u, SHOS's James Ellsmoor and PIDF's François Martel.

Solar Head of State Director James Ellsmoor said, “our model draws attention to renewable energy through highly visible solar installations on public buildings and associated public engagement strategies such as competitions for students and community events. High profile installations on buildings such as the Saint George Palace highlight the economic, environmental and political importance of the use of renewable energy.”

The installation of panels on the national Leader’s official residence is symbolic of the wider leadership on renewable energy by small island develop states (SIDS), and serves a physical embodiment of Pacific politician’s commitment to fighting climate change. The leader of the Tongan Delegation, Paula Ma’u, signed an agreement at the event agreeing to work with Solar Head of State and the Pacific Island Development Forum to carry out the installation.

“Our intent is to demonstrate that Tonga is serious when it comes to climate and energy. While we need a few more years to roll out renewable energy across the islands, this installation will be a mark of our greater ambition to decarbonize our economy”, said Ma’u.

Islands across the world are making headlines for ambitious renewable energy projects. The Pacific nation of Tokelau became the world’s first country to be 100% solar powered in 2012 by launching a pioneering project to ditch its diesel habit.

Tokelauan delegation leader Paula Faiva made a statement at the event highlighting the future pathways for decarbonization in her atoll nation and the importance of symbolic leadership on climate.

“Tokelau’s renewable energy project was the first in the Pacific to utilize large-scale solar and storage. We are happy to see that other SIDS are following our path, and we hope the rest of the world will take note of the work of the Pacific”, said Faiva.

Tokelau's Climate Change Manager, Paula Faiva, talks about the success of solar in her country.

Islands typically have extremely high energy costs due to a lack of economies of scale and expensive fuel imports. On many islands, inefficient diesel generators have traditionally generated electricity. The high cost of diesel is an incentive to innovate new solutions.

From Fiji to the Seychelles to Jamaica, SIDS are launching ambitious programs to revolutionize economies through renewables, many with goals of reaching 100% by 2030. In the Caribbean island of Aruba, the goal is an even more audacious 100% by 2020.

Pacific Island Development Forum Secretary General François Martel said of the event, “we are glad to support Pacific nation leaders in their work to showcase and implement renewable energy strategies. This event is important while the spotlight is on our region, to demonstrate that we are doing our part even though we contribute negligible emissions.”

Fiji’s leadership of COP23 is a first for SIDS, and an opportunity to demonstrate the very really threats faced by these nations. Events highlighting the ambition of Pacific SIDS are a useful strategy for these nations to demonstrate that despite their low carbon emissions, they are showing moral leadership when it comes to the issue of climate change.

Partnership with NAGICO at the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum

Solar Head of State and NAGICO Insurances are delighted to announce their partnership to promote the expansion of renewable energy across the Caribbean. The two organizations recently held a high-level drinks reception at the Caribbean Renewable Energy Forum, entitled “A Celebration of Caribbean Leadership in Renewable Energy”, during which attendees learned about the steps that the Caribbean is taking to become a frontrunner in implementing sustainable technology.

Guests came from over a dozen countries and territories in the region and included Government Ministers, CARICOM representatives, utility companies and solar developers. The event included a keynote address by Justin Locke of the Carbon War Room, an organization founded by Sir Richard Branson to encourage sustainability in the region.

Solar Head of State Advisor, Maya Doolub, opened the event with comments on the urgent need for climate action now. With the region at a critical point following the recent disasters, Maya spoke of the need for the rebuild to focus on more resilient infrastructure, positioning islands to present sustainable models for energy to the rest of the world and highlighting the leadership coming from the region.

NAGICO Insurances representative, Vibert Williams, highlighted the goal of the company to provide innovative insurance products and stimulate the growth of renewable energy in the region. He evidenced NAGICO Insurances’ commitment to renewable energy initiatives by highlighting its involvement with the provision of cover for the Anguilla solar farm. He also spoke of his recent post-hurricane visit to Dominica, the urgent need for a global response to climate change and the role that renewable energy could play in building the region’s resiliency toward future hurricanes.

Solar Head of State Director James Ellsmoor explained the organization’s model to draw attention to renewable energy through highly visible solar installations on public buildings and associated public engagement strategies such as competitions for students and community events. He underlined the importance of last year’s installation of solar panels on Saint Lucia’s Government House and future plans for solar on the Jamaica House and other government buildings.

NAGICO Insurances provides a myriad of property and casualty as well as life risk solutions across 21 territories in the Caribbean region. Solar Head of State is a California-based NGO that works with island nations worldwide to increase green education and promote leadership for renewable energy.