| Guanaja Honduras is located in Central America | | | | does Guanaja, that sunny tropical paradise, have a |
| just about forty miles from the mainland of | | | | great deal of? Sunshine, of course! I have friends |
| Honduras. One of the Bay Islands, it is the least | | | | that have taken this concept a whole step further |
| developed of the three main islands. Guanaja is | | | | and they have installed fourteen solar panels, |
| pristine. There are no streets except for a | | | | pointed toward old sol, of course, and have they |
| narrow dirt road between two of the small | | | | hooked up to two fork lift batteries. These guys |
| villages. People move about by foot paths or boat. | | | | are a little expensive, but are guaranteed for |
| The footpaths meander about the island and it is | | | | twenty years. They run their whole house on this |
| not uncommon to see the various workers | | | | system! This includes fans, microwave oven, |
| walking across your yard to get about the island | | | | television, etc. |
| to their jobs or to visit friends. | | | | These same friends have a small wind generator |
| Guanaja is a unique Bay Island in the fact that it | | | | also. They have had less success with it than the |
| has its own fresh water supply. In fact, there are | | | | solar, but probably because the location does not |
| several fresh water waterfalls on the island and | | | | have the constant breeze required to really make |
| this, in addition to cisterns, is where the local | | | | it efficient. |
| population gets its drinking water. Bottled water, | | | | Another option would be to harness some of the |
| of course, is available, but most simply drank | | | | water from one of the waterfalls and turn it into |
| water right out of the tap. I was hesitant on my | | | | hydro electric power. This water could then be |
| trip there to do so at first and then asked the | | | | recirculated by a solar pump and then be used |
| long time Gringo's, they confirmed it. Wonderful, | | | | again and again. Once again, this would take some |
| pure, very soft and excellent tasting water is | | | | start up costs, but in the end would pay for itself |
| available everywhere! | | | | in no time and then be cost free as well as good |
| For Electric, the island is serviced by BECO, the | | | | for the environment. |
| Bonacco Electric Company. While the whole island | | | | There are many options available if we truly want |
| is not on the grid, the more populated areas are. | | | | to expand our vision and do no harm to the |
| In addition, most people find that a backup | | | | pristine environment around us. |
| generator is a must for the times that the power | | | | We have become spoiled by all the energy |
| is out, for whatever reason. The main problem | | | | sources we have available to us in the United |
| with the electric company is the expense. BECO | | | | States, but is this energy consumption good for |
| charges at least four times per kilowatt hour | | | | the environment? I, for one would like to go |
| more than what we pay in the US, WOW, now | | | | GREEN when I move to Guanaja and live in |
| that is a lot! Now, if you really think about it, what | | | | harmony with the environment. |