The Charles Darwin Foundation goes solar

Press Release
Puerto Ayora, Galapagos – January 26, 2007

There are new lights shining at the Charles Darwin Research Station since November 2006. The Charles Darwin Foundation (CDF) has installed a system of solar panels to provide electric light and continuous DC current for the majority of the offices and laboratories at the Station. As the leading conservation organization in Galapagos the CDF has made these efforts to reduce the need for conventional electricity.

According to CDF's Executive Director, Dr. Graham Watkins, "CDF hopes to demonstrate that there are viable alternatives to generate electricity that are cleaner and more in harmony with such a unique natural place like Galapagos, by using an energy source that never runs out… the sun".

Electricity in the islands is provided by diesel fueled generators. There is great potential risk to the environmental in regularly bringing fuel into the islands to provide basic electricity services for the towns and inhabited areas. This fuel needs to be transported from mainland Ecuador in cargo ships and the movement of thousands of gallons of fuel is a known and constant concern. In 2001 when the fuel transport ship Jessica ran aground off the coast of the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on San Cristobal Island over 160,000 gallons of diesel and 80,000 gallons of bunker fuel were dumped into the fragile Galapagos Marine Reserve. The spill affected island coastlines and shore habitats and the unique endemic species of Galapagos across the archipelago such as the enigmatic Galapagos sea lion and the marine iguana- the world's only ocean going lizard.

By installing the solar energy alternative the CDF will significantly reduce the monthly consumption of conventional electricity at the station. This is especially important given that the CDF is a not-for-profit organization dependent on support from around the world and basic core costs such as electricity are difficult to finance. The solar panel system while more costly at the outset, does not contaminate in any way, there are no noise or fumes, it is easy to install, requires little maintenance and with a long service life is more cost effective in the long term. Most of all it reduces the need to transport fuel to the islands.

The CDF wishes to thank the Japanese people, who through the Japanese Embassy in Ecuador made the donation of these panels and their installation possible. The gift was enabled through the "Assistance to Community Projects" program (APC) of the Japanese government. This program provides financial assistance to not-for-profit organizations in developing nations to undertake changes that have a direct impact on the wellbeing of a community.

This is the first step toward using renewable solar energy for all the needs of the research station and ensuring a cleaner, safer future for the Galapagos. Going solar at the CDF is an investment in protecting the Galapagos and its astonishing and extraordinary community of animals, plants and people.