By Pamela O'Brien | Director of Business Development, New Vision
eTown E-chievement Award Program to Air on NPR the week of September 17th.
Show: #1438
A few years ago, Ruston Seaman noticed that one of his neighbors in Philippi, West Virginia had built solar panels for his home – out of old shower doors! Ruston was so inspired by this that he started thinking about the many ways solar power could help the people in his small, rural town in Appalachia and cut their energy costs. He teamed up with his neighbor to teach others how to build their own solar panels. Not long after, Ruston travelled to Kenya on a volunteer trip and gave some portable solar lights to the local people there, many of whom had never seen electricity before. These simple solar lights – made from small solar panels, LED lights, and a battery pack – made a significant difference for the people’s quality of life, allowing them to work, study, and gather after dark. In 2009, Ruston founded New Vision Renewable Energy to teach people in the U.S to build their own solar panels, and also to send portable solar lights to third world countries. With the help of close to 700 at-risk youth volunteers, New Vision Renewable Energy has provided close to 2,000 solar lights for people in 30 countries, providing light for nearly 8,000 people every night.
Thanks to 3Mgives who donated enough 3M Solar Mirror Film for 44,000 lights, we are well on our way to help bring an end to darkness for many who see their days end when the sun goes down.
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