The annex Santa Rosa de Patahuasi, is located six hours from the region of Ayacucho. The roads start as asphalt and slowly become gravel as you make your way into the Peruvian Andes. The community is located in the department of Huancavelica, in the province of Angaraes, in the district of Huanca Huanca. With an altitude of 4100 meters, visitors can feel the lack of oxygen upon arrival. The main economic activities are livestock and agriculture.
The most celebrated holidays by the community are held on June 10th and August 30th. These holidays consist of residents preparing many local dishes and colorful costumes, put together by a night of dancing. Another highly celebrated date is November 1st and 2nd for All Saints’ Day, where the “tanta wawas” and “tanta caballos” (depicting a baby wrapped in a blanket) are prepared. The tradition is an offering to the children who have passed. The community of Patahuasi has 60 residents, a church, and two educational centers consisting of a preschool and an elementary school.

Based on the individualized assessment our team organized for the community a photovoltaic system of 1600 Wp at 48V was designed.

This was done to meet the energy demand for electronic devices and improve the quality of education for children. One of the main objectives of LUTW is to improve living conditions with rural electrification, as well as to reduce social inequality. We believe that electricity plays an instrumental role in the field of rural development and the capacity to build better educational programs. With an increase in access to a reliable and clean energy source LUTW see’s this improvement as a way to further development and economic activities in the community.

Over the next couple of weeks, we will be sharing a more in-depth picture of LUTW’s process in assessing this community, partnering with them, designing their installation, and last but most important, receiving funding and support from our General Volunteer International Solar Program. Up Next: The planning and installation process.