Technology and Knowledge Transfer Program

On the Use of Solar Energy in Kuna Yala

November 18, 2005

Vision

Strengthen Kuna cultural patrimony via the delivery of practical skills and solar technology that will increase opportunities for sustainable development and self determination.

Time frame: Oct 1 – Dec. 31, 2005.

Objectives of the Program

  • Facilitate the Kuna’s analysis of the impacts, demand and offer of electricity in their sovereign territory.
  • Expose and train the Kuna communities to energy issues; climate change, options and impacts.
  • Build individual, systemic and institutional capacities for the use of solar technologies.

Collaborating Organizations

  • Kuna General Congress
  • Permacity Corporation
  • The Eastern Pacific Research Foundation
  • IDIKY – the Integral Development Institute of Kuna Yala
  • ANAM - the National Environment Authority
  • MEF - the Ministry of Economy and Finance
  • Provincial Council of Kuna Yala
  • Ciudad de Saber – City of Knowledge Foundation

Discussion:

Ogobsucum Pilot Project

In April/ May 2005, the school of the community of Ogobsucum was selected as a pilot project to test the compatibility of the solar technology with the culture. This trip familiarized the team with the installation scenario (cultural and technical) challenges. The successful illumination of 10 classrooms provided valuable feedback and implementation parameters, which were utilized to shape the concept of the larger solar technology and knowledge transfer programme.

Mention in the central American publication Banistmo.

Case Study

Guidelines and decisions from multilateral environmental conventions (specifically the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)) that have been ratified by the Republic of Panama, were utilized as coordinating frameworks for the project. An intern from Reed University, Johnny Casana specialized in Development Anthropology is collaborating onsite during the project implementation. His work will be used to create a case study of the project that will be submitted to the National Focal Point (the national environmental authority) as well as directly to the Conferences of the Parties to the two UN Conventions.

He will be presenting his work in progress to a peer review at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on 22 nd of November.

http://www.biodiv.org/decisions/
http://unfccc.int/not_assigned/b/items/1417.php

Background

A team of 4 Kunas were selected to conduct an analysis on the demand and offer of electricity in Kuna Yala. Their work was supervised and reviewed by a consortium of Kuna social and environmental organizations under the name of the Alianza Ambiental. The team of 4 was from the community of Ogobsucum, and two are studying programmes of electrical engineering at the National University. There valuable work was presented during the Installation Workshop in Ukupseni, as well it will be presented to the 3 chiefs and 50 sailas at their biannual congress in late November in Ustupo.

Invitations for Expressions of Interest

Letters were sent to the Sailas (chiefs) of each of the 50 Kuna communities in Kuna Yala inviting expressions of interest for participating in the programme. The letter outlined the commitments from the community necessary for participation. These included descriptions of system maintenance, anticipated replacement part costs and disposal requirements.

  • Armila
  • Goedup
  • Sasardi Muladup
  • Mansucun
  • Ogobsucun
  • Mamidup
  • Achudup
  • Ukupseni
  • Aridup
  • Narasgandup D.
  • Urgandi
  • Nusadup
  • Yandup
  • Akwanusadup
  • Digir
  • Tikantiky
  • Magebgandi
  • Ukupa
  • Irgandi
  • Nabagandi

Ukupseni taller

Eighteen thousand pounds of solar equipment was received through customs and with the cooperation of the Provincial Council of Kuna Yala, the political representative of the province of Kuna Yala within the national government, the equipment was exonerated from import tariffs.

Steve Factor from Permacity was a tremendous help in the preparation of the shipment to Panama and the management of the inventory. Permacity also assembled a very clear installation manual that was translated into Spanish.

The community of Ukupseni was chosen for the workshop for its centric location. On Nov. 5, two motorized dug out canoes departed from opposite ends of the comarca towards Ukupseni, collecting the participating community nominated technicians along the way.

With the critical assistance of Steve Factor and others, the workshop took place Nov. 8-10, terminating with cheers and dancing upon the successful installation of lights in the community general congress building as well as the community bank. Each participant received orientation stretching form the history of solar energy, and a break down on the technology and engineering of solar technology. The final day was system installation specific. The intensive hands on participatory nature of the workshop was much appreciated by all. Each community technician received an installation manual and a complete tool set as well.

The technicians expressed a strong priority and discussed at length the organization of an association for the future of solar technology in Kuna Yala. Their intent is to create a committee within the political structure of the culture. The participating technicians have since created a contact list for inter communal assistance during the installation phase.

Equipment Delivery and Installation

At present we are exploring options to deliver the remaining equipment to the various villages. The most economical method is by sea.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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