November 20, 2012 – An orphanage in a remote location in Jamaica has seen a marked improvement in its access to electricity thanks to a group of York, Ontario-based volunteers who recently installed a new solar PV panel system at the Beatitudes Home, located near the island’s capital, Kingston. Prior to this, the orphanage had only one hour of electricity per day, provided by a diesel generator.

Officers with the York Regional Police Department and representatives of Virtual Engineers—21 volunteers in all from the Greater Toronto Area—travelled to Jamaica at their own expense to install the 5kW solar PV system. The solar-generated electricity is providing light, radio music and refrigeration to preserve food and medical supplies.

Eclipsall Energy Corp. says it responds to situations where its products and technology can help the underprivileged, particularly in countries where that need is greatest. In this case, Eclipsall manufactured and donated the solar panels that power the 5kW system, and provided support and training to the officers on the handling and installation of the PV panels.

The solar system installation at the Beatitudes Home for physically and mentally disabled children is in memory of York Regional Police Constable Davis Ahlowalia. In 2004, he led an initiative to adopt a Missionaries of the Poor orphanage in Kingston. Davis’s efforts created a partnership that assisted in providing food, money and other charitable donations.