This is how we work

The people living on the spot and their particular needs are the focal point of attention for the Stiftung Solarenergie. We are not concerned with one-off aid measures. Our intention is to set up a long-lasting, self-supporting power supply on the basis of solar energy. We therefore instruct and train the people in the partner countries to put them in a position to operate the solar systems themselves and to use them for educational, health and economic purposes.

The principles behind our projects:

• Each project must be orientated towards the actual needs of the population and must be planned and realised with their active co-operation.
• Only technology, which has been tried, tested and is technically mature, will be implemented.
• The Stiftung Solarenergie has provided the solar systems within the project "Light for Education" only as a preliminary aid measure. In terms of a sustainable development, the users must finance the operation of the solar systems themselves. 
  Since autumn 2008, the Stiftung Solarenergie offers with the Revolving Fund a microfinancing, so that as many users (families, individuals, schools, churches...) as possible may pay the acquisition costs of the solar systems.
• It must be ensured that people with the necessary expertise are on-site to carry out the technical work (maintenance, servicing) on the systems. The projects must therefore also serve as an initial aid measure for the local trades.
• The realisation of the projects on-site is to be carried out in close co-operation with a branch of the Stiftung Solarenergie in the partner country or with a recognised relief organisation which has already been working in that country for many years. In this way, it can be assured that the infrastructure necessary to realise the solar projects on a long-term basis is present.
• A financial controlling system is to be developed for every project which ensures that the project is regularly reviewed and the financial means are efficiently implemented.