Canadian-based charity builds solar in remote villages in Peru
By Fiona Maguire-O’Shea and Ali Turner | Access to electricity is something many of us take for granted. Yet in remote regions around the world, it’s a luxury they simply do not have. That’s where Light Up The World (LUTW), a Canadian-based charity, is making a difference. By providing photovoltaic (PV) systems and hands-on renewable energy training, to off-grid communities, LUTW is improving daily life and empowering communities to build a more reliable and sustainable future.
While attending a small solar event in Calgary, Aaron Cohen, executive director of LUTW, was on a mission to find better solutions for his solar projects located in some of the most remote parts of Peru. As he spoke to a representative of metal roof attachment technology manufacturer, S-5!, he believed that their technology finally addressed the logistical challenges his team had long faced. It was a breakthrough moment — offering new possibilities for delivering renewable energy to communities once considered unreachable.
Phase I – Huarcaya, Peru
The off-grid school in Huarcaya, a remote province in the Peruvian Andes, serves nearly 150 students and more than 15 teachers. It lacked access to sustainable electricity and internet connectivity, making it difficult to support digital learning — especially after dark or during overcast days. Reliable power and connectivity were essential to improve the quality of education and overall community development.
Phase I began in February 2025 and included the installation of:
- 18 panels donated by Silfab Solar 370 Wp (6.66 kWp)
- 15 kWh of lithium battery storage
- 9 kW three-phase power
- Solar mounting system donated by S-5!
S-5! worked alongside student volunteers from the study-abroad programs at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT), as well as LUTW volunteers to complete the installation. This marked the first time the students received direct training from a brand representative, an incredibly valuable hands-on experience.
“I was very interested in the work of LUTW, taking solar to remote communities, and I wanted to contribute,” said Pavneet Cheema, a business student at SAIT. “I had no prior experience with solar panel installation, but the product instructions were very clear, and I was able to install a bracket and solar panel. I’m grateful I was able to help the children and provide something they never thought was possible.”
Overcoming logistical challenges, extreme weather
Remote communities present complex logistical challenges because they are typically difficult to access. In Peru, reaching them often requires driving on poorly maintained roads from the nearest city or even taking a small boat along a river.
“I personally traveled to the site to support the installation and see firsthand the impact of bringing clean energy to those who need it most,” said Juan Carlos Fuentes, international business director at S-5! “Due to extreme weather, it took over 20 hours to reach the village. We drove on narrow, icy dirt roads, unable to see the edge of the cliff beside us. Visibility was poor, wild animals roamed the area, and every mile felt more remote than the last. With only a short window each day due to freezing temperatures, snow and limited hours of sunlight, we had to work quickly and efficiently. At 14,000 feet, just 10 minutes of work felt like two hours.”
Due to the weak structure of the school’s metal roof, with purlins spaced about four feet apart, a lightweight solution was essential.
“For many reasons, S-5! made sense for this project,” Fuentes added. “Our lightweight, easy-to-transport mounting system helped overcome logistical barriers and made this project possible.”
A smart, simple system
“It was our first time using S-5!, and it was a huge relief not having to dig holes for a ground mount system,” said Cohen. “The setup was easy to assemble, and we installed it quickly. Normally, we use galvanized metal structures, which are heavy, bulky and expensive to transport. But with just one box from S-5!, we had everything we needed.
“It was also the students’ first time installing a PV system, but within just 30 to 60 minutes, they had it figured out,” he continued. “The setup was intuitive, and they picked it up quickly, making it the fastest installations we’ve ever completed.”
With limited information available about the roof profile, the team used the Protea Bracket — since the brackets could be adjusted to fit any trapezoidal metal roof profile — and PVKIT rail-less solar mounting system. Compared to a traditional rail system, this approach reduced the roof load by 85%, which was critical given the limited structural support beneath the roof.
For Phase I, S-5! donated:
- 120 ProteaBracket and PVKIT rail-less solar mounts
- 50 ground lugs
- 100 PV module clips
The solar installation not only generated light for the school, but it also powered essential equipment, including computers and other electronics, which had been previously donated. Students can now study after sunset, and teachers can enhance lessons with internet-based resources.
Phase II – Alto Mishahua, Peruvian Amazon
In Phase II, the project extended deep in the Peruvian Amazon, where electricity is not just limited, it’s nearly impossible to access — no power lines, no roads. Every piece of equipment had to travel by boat along a tributary of the Amazon River. S-5!’s simple, lightweight rail-less system made transport and installation far more feasible.
Students from the Latin American Observatory of Geopolitics of Energy (UNILA) raised funds for the project with LUTW leading the project execution to electrify 40 homes. Each home received one 370 Wp solar module, one lithium-ion battery, one charger controller, one inverter, and an electrical cabinet — impacting more than 250 residents. The team utilized the CorruBracket 500T and PVKIT for the specific corrugated metal roof profile.
For Phase II, S-5! provided:
- 280 PVKIT
- 180 CorruBracket 500T
- 100 module clips
- 50 ground lugs
Rail-less solar mounting = maximum efficiency
The solar installation process was made more efficient utilizing a rail-less mounting method. This innovative approach allowed for significant reductions in both transportation costs and installation time. By eliminating the need for preassembly of the attachments, the rail-less method cut installation time by 50%, allowing the school’s solar array to be completed quickly and efficiently.
The DirectAttach system benefited the structural soundness of the school, and similarly the homes in Alto Mishahua. By eliminating rails, this reduced the load of the mounting system, and the overall weight placed on the substructure, minimizing stress on the building itself.
With one of LUTW’s goals being empowering local technicians to install and maintain the solar PV systems, this method simplified the project. Plus, the ease of installing the PVKIT means future installations in the surrounding area can be installed by community members.
Lighting the way in Peru — and beyond
Cohen explains how the addition of solar power has impacted the community.
“Students and teachers shared how wonderful it was to finally have light in the evening, and how transformative the internet access has been,” said Cohen. “They can now communicate with nearby cities and loved ones. Many told us they were ‘without words.’ They’re confident this will greatly improve education and strengthen the entire community.
“The No. 1 impact is simply having light at night,” he added. “When the sun sets at 6 p.m., these communities go completely dark. Now, they have a reliable energy system that will serve them for the next 20 to 25 years, supporting education, health and productivity. We hope to involve more students and corporate partners in future rural installations to bring sustainability and connectivity to some of the most remote areas in the region.”
Fuentes encouraged other companies to get involved in LUTW.
“At S-5!, we believe solar energy can transform lives, and this project is a perfect example,” said Fuentes. “Bringing electricity to communities like Huarcaya and Alto Mishahua is about more than a solar installation. It’s about providing light, technology and new opportunities. We are proud to support initiatives like this and remain committed to making solar power accessible worldwide. We encourage our partners, especially solar manufacturers and inverter manufacturers, to get involved. Everyone deserves access to electricity and internet.”
Partnering for global impact
“LUTW continues to enhance the lives of people and communities, and it’s an honor to support them in their mission,” said Fuentes. “As a socially responsible and compassionate company, S-5! believes that industry leaders not only can, but should, use their expertise and resources to support those in need. With innovative solutions and the dedication of LUTW and its charitable partners, these projects in Peru stand as a global example of efficiency, cost-effectiveness and sustainability. A simple thing like light can make a bright difference in so many lives.”
To learn more about LUTW, visit www.LUTW.org.
Author information: Fiona Maguire-O’Shea, S-5! public relations, and Ali Turner, S-5! content writer.
