“Electrification” of new solar arrays provides clean, reliable power

PRINCETON, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 19, 2016-- NRG Energy, Inc.’s (NYSE:NRG) philanthropy program - NRG Global Giving - joined forces with Haitian solar company DigitalKap to unveil two newly installed rooftop solar arrays at Haitian non-profits Les Centres GHESKIO (GHESKIO) in Port au Prince and Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL) in Cap-Haïtien. Both organizations received systems that total 20kW. The respective systems, made up of nearly 120 photovoltaic panels, will generate 100% of the electricity usage for SOIL’s operations and 70% of the electricity usage for GHESKIO’s Family Nutrition Center, in the form of clean, renewable electricity from the sun.

GHESKIO is an outstanding example of community-based health care. Developed in response to the AIDS epidemic that began in the 1980’s, GHESKIO’s services have expanded to meet the health care needs of Haiti’s most vulnerable. “We have huge needs for electrical power. We have a 400 KW power generator running all day to support the entire complex. However, it reached its limits and the new Family Nutrition Center could not be supplied by the existing power generator, this is why the 20 KW solar installation NRG donated is important,” said Dr. Jean William Pape, MD, Director, GHESKIO.

SOIL works to promote use of ecological sanitation (EcoSan), a process by which human wastes are converted into valuable compost. “SOIL is incredibly grateful for the beautiful solar panels that power our office and compost site in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. The addition of sustainable solar power has truly transformed our space - we no longer work alongside the loud buzzing of our generator and we do not fret when city power is irregular. The SOIL team can work in a consistently functional, beautiful, and environmentally friendly space. We cannot thank NRG enough for their support - we appreciate it every day!” said Molly Case, SOIL’s Deputy Development Director.

The rooftop solar arrays were funded by NRG Global Giving, designed by DigitalKap and installed by an all Haitian crew that had worked closely with NRG’s technical teams on past installations so that both organizations could benefit from a sharing of best practices and knowledge transfer.

“We have evolved NRG’s philosophy on giving to go beyond charitable donations, which can hinder local businesses ability to compete,” said Jennifer Brunelle, NRG’s Director of Global Giving. “It is critical that our work is sustainable for the long-term, so we chose to partner with an all Haitian company, which will help stimulate the Haitian economy by developing employable skills and creating local jobs. This work will help families in Haiti for years to come.”

About NRG

NRG is the leading integrated power company in the U.S., built on the strength of the nation’s largest and most diverse competitive electric generation portfolio and leading retail electricity platform. A Fortune 200 company, NRG creates value through best in class operations, reliable and efficient electric generation, and a retail platform serving residential and commercial businesses. Working with electricity customers, large and small, we continually innovate, embrace and implement sustainable solutions for producing and managing energy. We aim to be pioneers in developing smarter energy choices and delivering exceptional service as our retail electricity providers serve almost 3 million residential and commercial customers throughout the country. More information is available at www.nrg.com. Connect with NRG Energy on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @nrgenergy.

About DigitalKap

DigitalKap is a Haitian owned company that has been in operation for over 4 years. During this time, DigitalKap has provided high-quality solar system installations and maintenance on more than 100 solar systems for homeowners, business, schools, non-profits and government organizations. As a proven solar provider, DigitalKap has been a leader in best practices for new solar installations, updating of existing solar systems, solar street lighting, solar water pumping, cleaning, maintenance, operations checks and renewable energy and system use trainings in Haiti.

About GHESKIO

Created on May 2, 1982, our institution is the oldest in the world in the fight against AIDS. The name GHESKIO French acronym for Haitian Study Group on Opportunistic Infections and Kaposi Sarcoma was established before AIDS had a name. Our mission has 3 objectives: operational research, training and patient care. Our main international partners are Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, USA and Fondation Merieux, Lyon, France. We have become one of the largest care centers in the Americas for AIDS and also for tuberculosis. We are also one of the largest research and training centers for AIDS and tuberculosis in the Caribbean, Central and South America regions. GHESKIO has been rewarded by both the public and private Haitian sectors. GHESKIO has been declared “of public utility” by the Haitian government, a designation given to institutions deemed necessary for the welfare of the people. The private Haitian sector created a foundation with 501c3 status, Fondation Haitienne des Maladies Endemiques (FHAME) whose only mission is to support GHESKIO. GHESKIO received many awards: Gates Global Health, Institut de France Christophe Mérieux, Carlos Slim Public Health Research, WHO STOP TB, to only name those.

About SOIL

The mission of Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods (SOIL) is to promote dignity, health, and sustainable livelihoods through the transformation of wastes into resources. We achieve this through developing social business models around ecological sanitation (EcoSan), a process in which nutrients from human wastes return to the soil rather than polluting fresh water resources.

Forward-Looking Statements

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Source: NRG Energy, Inc.

NRG
Media:
Marijke Shugrue, 609-524-5262
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DigitalKap:
Patrick Eugene, +509-4735-7925