A solar electric system located at the Edna Adan University Hospital in Hargeisa, Somaliland, was commissioned today. The 10 kW system will reduce reliance on grid supplied electricity, displace carbon intensive diesel generated power, and save the hospital nearly $10,000 annually. The savings will help underwrite Edna's incredible work, including: providing health care services to unimaginably disadvantaged women, educating a new generation of Somalilander health care professionals, and fighting female genital mutilation. Read more about Edna's work here, and read the Edna Hospital's press release, Solar Power Brightens Edna Hospital, here.

It was a time consuming but rewarding project, spent in equal parts overcoming logistical and technical challenges, and building what is truly a dream team of highly capable and dedicated individuals. Solevis donated expertise, capital, and its principal's time to this charitable project. Among the many people I'd like to thank for contributing to this project:

Richard Ford & Friends of Edna Hospital, who have given me the gift of a restful night's sleep for not having to worry about project cost reimbursement.
Sam Slaughter of PowerGen Renewable Energy, who is a true pleasure to work with, and whose photo should appear beside dictionary definitions of 'capable' and 'competent'.
Jochen Spengler, for giving generously of his deep technical and project expertise.
Thomas Kraemer, our primary Edna Hospital liaison, problem solver, and cultural translator.
Roxie Brown, Devon Cichoski, Michael Schmidt, Daniel Hildebrand, and many other consummate professionals at SolarWorld, who generously donated 10 kW of modules through the Solar2World charitable program.
Hassan Ahmed Hussein of Kaah Electricity, for graciously authorizing interconnection, and enabling one of Somaliland's first grid-tied solar PV systems.
Jonathan Starr at Abaarso School and Nigel Carr at Qorax Energy, for sharing their knowledge of Somalilander culture and in-country renewable energy challenges and opportunities.
Johannes Germ of Asantys Systems, whose expertise made sourcing and shipping equipment a breeze.
Isahak Abdi and Sayid at Golis Energy, for providing a top-notch crew and in-country support.
Nigel Carr of Qorax Energy, for sharing his Somaliland experiences and renewable energy expertise.
Michael Ozeranic, old friend, for your invaluable personal security guidance.
Andriy Kucher, for you help drawing & visualizing the Edna solar array.
Corey VanClief. This project is the culmination of a journey that began with a 2009 trip to Kibera, a sprawling slum in Nairobi, Kenya, which opened my eyes to the humanity and material poverty of people in the developing world. Thanks for inviting me along, Corey.
Nicholas Kristof, whose suggestion in an Op-Ed piece led me to make a donation to the Edna Hospital, in honor of my beloved mother, without which I would never have learned of Edna's renewable energy dream.
And of course, the incredibly inspirational Edan Adan, for providing the opportunity to contribute to her life saving & life sustaining work.

The Edna Hospital is a charity hospital that operates in a poor neighborhood of Hargeisa, and accepts indigent patients from all over the Horn of Africa. The Hospital features a labor and delivery area, maternity ward, neonatal ICU, operating theaters, prenatal clinic, medical laboratory and x-ray facility. With all of the equipment needed to maintain a modern hospital - infant incubators, oxygen concentrators, theater lights, ultrasound machines, and the like - electricity (which is expensive in Somaliland) is one of the top operating costs. To donate to the Edna Adan University & Hospital, click here.

- Steve Fahmie. Nairobi, Kenya.