SOLAR II – Sustainability for all

SDG Goals

Rationale

SDG 7 – This SDG advocates for clean and affordable energy. The SOLAR II Project fully utilizes the solar energy source that is clean, contributing directly to the achievement of targets 7.1, by 2030, ensure universal, reliable, modern and affordable access to energy services; 7.2, by 2030, substantially increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix; and, 7.3, by 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
In this project, to the extent that it will be implemented with non-reimbursable resources, electric energy will be accessible to vulnerable populations in communities on the urban outskirts of the 4 aforementioned municipalities.

SDG 10 – This SDG advocates the reduction of inequalities among the inhabitants of a country. The SOLAR II Project, by being implemented in territories characterized by socioeconomic and infrastructure vulnerability, contributes to achieving target 10.2 – by 2030, empowering and promoting the social, economic and political inclusion of all, regardless of age, gender, deficiency, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, economic or other status.
This proposal, by addressing aspects such as climate justice and access to more efficient technologies, contributes to equity of opportunities for vulnerable populations in communities on the urban peripheries of the four aforementioned municipalities.

SDG 11 – This SDG calls for cities and human settlements to be inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. The SOLAR II Project, by improving the conditions of basic infrastructure and services, has directly contributed to the achievement of targets 11.1 – by 2030, ensure access for all to safe, adequate and affordable housing and basic services and urbanize slums; 11.  7 – by 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, accessible and green public spaces, particularly for women and children, older persons and persons with deficiency; and, 11. b – by 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans for inclusion, resource efficiency, climate change mitigation and adaptation, disaster resilience; and develop and implement, in accordance with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels.
The SOLAR II Project by deploying a decentralized and independent electric power generation infrastructure, whose source is clean and sustainable (solar), in vulnerable communities makes the cities of the above-mentioned 4 municipalities more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

SDG 12 – This SDG advocates the adoption of measures to combat climate change and its impacts. The SOLAR II Project, by using a clean and sustainable energy source (solar), contributes directly to the achievement of targets 12.2 – by 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources; and 12.8 – by 2030, ensure that people everywhere have relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature. The present proposal by implementing a clean and sustainable energy source mitigates climate change by reducing the GHG emissions that cause it.

Tracks

Risks and Limitations

What are the key risks, constraints and dependencies related to the project?

The SOLAR II Project presupposes the integration between the technical team responsible for its execution and the municipal administrations. It may occur during the course of the change of its representatives, which may compromise the implementation of the project. As a mitigating measure, letters of support must be signed in the preliminary phase of the project, joint field visits must be carried out to validate the area of ​​operation and, also, formalize the knowledge of the beginning of its implementation. Additionally, the effective participation of the technical team of the municipal administration must occur in order to guarantee that the progress of the project is not compromised by political changes. The formal commitment of representatives of municipal administrations should be sought through a document that establishes the responsibilities and the way of acting of each involved party.

The SOLAR II Project presupposes the integration between the technical team responsible for its execution and the community leaders and the residents of the communities. A change of leaders may occur along the way, which may compromise the implementation of the project. As a mitigating measure, the involvement and engagement of the largest possible number of residents and all community leaders or representatives should occur from the beginning of the project, in order to expand the network and ensure knowledge and safe execution of the project. The formal commitment of the leaders must be sought through a document that establishes the responsibilities and the form of action of each involved party.

The SOLAR II Project may come to operate off-grid insofar as the necessary measures are not taken by the municipal government and the energy concessionaire to establish its connection with the electrical distribution network through the installation of a consumer unit that will be the responsibility of the local administration. As a mitigating measure, a commitment between both parties must be established from the beginning of the project so that the relevant initiatives are adopted, within a pre-established period, in line with the project execution schedule. Alternatively, the on-grid operation of the facilities enhances its operation by extending its useful life and reducing maintenance costs.

Risk mitigation and continuity

The SOLAR II Project assumes the integration between the technical team responsible for its execution and the municipal administrations. There may be changes in representatives along the way that could compromise the implementation of the project. As a mitigating measure, letters of support should be firmed in the preliminary phase of the project, joint field visits should be made to validate the area of action and also to formalize the knowledge of the start of its implementation. Additionally, the effective participation of the technical team from the municipal administration must occur in order to ensure that the progress of the project is not compromised by political changes.The formal commitment of the representatives of the municipal administrations must be sought by means of a document that establishes the responsibilities and the form of action of each party involved.

The SOLAR II Project assumes the integration between the technical team responsible for its execution and the community leaders and residents of the communities. During the course of the project, there may be a change of leaders, which could compromise the implementation of the project. As a mitigating measure, the involvement and engagement of the largest possible number of residents and all the community leaders or representatives must take place from the beginning of the project, in order to expand the network and ensure the knowledge and execution of the project in a safe manner. The formal commitment of the leaders should be sought through a document that establishes the responsibilities and the form of action of each party involved.

The SOLAR II Project may come to operate off-grid to the extent that the necessary steps are not taken by the municipal government and the energy concessionaire to establish its connection to the electrical distribution network through the installation of a consumer unit that will be under the responsibility of the local administration. As a mitigating measure, a commitment should be established from the start of the project between both parties for the relevant initiatives to be adopted, within a pre-established timeframe, in alignment with the project execution schedule. Alternatively, the on-grid operation of the facilities enhances their operation by extending their useful life and reduces maintenance costs.

Financing

Funding Goal

US$650,000

Type of Investment

Grant

Financing Structure

Based on the experience of the SOLAR I Project, the cost structure is as follows: investment (40.91%), personnel and social charges (21.19%), taxes (16.82%), administrative management (10.33%), communication (6.75%) and data collection (3.99%).

Secured Investment

No prior investment has taken place. The only investments to date have been made by Ambiens, primarily in human resources to establish initial contacts with the municipalities and communities that could receive the SOLAR project.

Committed Government Funding

There will be no contribution from municipal public resources. Only if it is necessary to expand the network of the local energy company or with the installation and maintenance of a connection point, which will be confirmed in the elaboration of each specific project, but negotiations have already been established in this regard. Anyway, this is a resource that will not be included in the project's accounting.

Committed Private Funding

Additional financial resources other than those provided by TAP are not foreseen.