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Dear Friends,
I invite you to join me as I embark on a solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the Northern Indian Himalayas. Nestled deep in the serpentine Indus River Valley of the mighty Ladakh Range, the peaceful, centuries-old Buddhist monastery of Mahe Village sits perched on sun-drenched slopes of soaring peaks.
In 2016 I had the privilege of helping dear friend and mentor, Mike Sullivan, (may his ascending soul rest peacefully), install a 1.4kW PV system with collaborative efforts through San Juan College (SJC) and, Ladakh Ecological Development Group, (LEDeG).
The project was of mutual benefit to the students involved with the installation, offering an invaluable educational and cultural experience, and for the monks who could now enjoy the clean silence and ease of autonomous, renewable energy which has quieted their fuming diesel generator. The village of Mahe surrounds the monastery, and the PV installation also greatly benefits these beautiful people, who maintain their ancient traditions of barley farming and the nomadic grazing of goats and sheep.
In correspondence with our point-person at LEDeG, I've recently discovered that the inverter, a vital piece of equipment, has failed. Sending it to the regional main service center proved unsuccessful, and further attempts to acquire a replacement were costly and to no avail. In this remote part of the world, a PV installation provides something most of us take for granted- lighting during the long nights of winter, a simple comfort with great consequences.
Mike worked tirelessly to design this system, source the equipment, and coordinate this project. An amazing outpouring of effort and love went into making this happen from the hands and hearts of many good people. Sharing resources sparks compassion, illuminates value and unites us as humans. These interactions bring us closer to our potential. It is truly an honor and joy to work in tandem with people in this way.
Driven by his great passion for availing renewable energy and offering solar trainings in remote parts of the world, and through his exemplary meditative practice of mountain climbing, Mike implemented many such projects in the Himalayas, Andes, and beyond. He continues to motivate me and bring light into the lives of all those he touched. He is the inspiration for this initiative and with your generous support, we will honor Mike by restoring this PV system, as a beacon in Mahe Village.
By achieving our fundraising goal before August 10th, your donation will make possible the purchase, delivery and installation of the new solar inverter. The work will be conducted by myself and other qualified solar professionals. I will be working in partnership with LEDeG and will ensure that the project is sustainable by further training the locals it benefits.
On behalf of all those involved with this project, and the good folks of Mahe, a heartfelt thanks!
In Light, good health and with warmest wishes,
Toby
Toby Swimmer
Project Manager
[email redacted]
I invite you to join me as I embark on a solar photovoltaic (PV) project in the Northern Indian Himalayas. Nestled deep in the serpentine Indus River Valley of the mighty Ladakh Range, the peaceful, centuries-old Buddhist monastery of Mahe Village sits perched on sun-drenched slopes of soaring peaks.
In 2016 I had the privilege of helping dear friend and mentor, Mike Sullivan, (may his ascending soul rest peacefully), install a 1.4kW PV system with collaborative efforts through San Juan College (SJC) and, Ladakh Ecological Development Group, (LEDeG).
The project was of mutual benefit to the students involved with the installation, offering an invaluable educational and cultural experience, and for the monks who could now enjoy the clean silence and ease of autonomous, renewable energy which has quieted their fuming diesel generator. The village of Mahe surrounds the monastery, and the PV installation also greatly benefits these beautiful people, who maintain their ancient traditions of barley farming and the nomadic grazing of goats and sheep.
In correspondence with our point-person at LEDeG, I've recently discovered that the inverter, a vital piece of equipment, has failed. Sending it to the regional main service center proved unsuccessful, and further attempts to acquire a replacement were costly and to no avail. In this remote part of the world, a PV installation provides something most of us take for granted- lighting during the long nights of winter, a simple comfort with great consequences.
Mike worked tirelessly to design this system, source the equipment, and coordinate this project. An amazing outpouring of effort and love went into making this happen from the hands and hearts of many good people. Sharing resources sparks compassion, illuminates value and unites us as humans. These interactions bring us closer to our potential. It is truly an honor and joy to work in tandem with people in this way.
Driven by his great passion for availing renewable energy and offering solar trainings in remote parts of the world, and through his exemplary meditative practice of mountain climbing, Mike implemented many such projects in the Himalayas, Andes, and beyond. He continues to motivate me and bring light into the lives of all those he touched. He is the inspiration for this initiative and with your generous support, we will honor Mike by restoring this PV system, as a beacon in Mahe Village.
By achieving our fundraising goal before August 10th, your donation will make possible the purchase, delivery and installation of the new solar inverter. The work will be conducted by myself and other qualified solar professionals. I will be working in partnership with LEDeG and will ensure that the project is sustainable by further training the locals it benefits.
On behalf of all those involved with this project, and the good folks of Mahe, a heartfelt thanks!
In Light, good health and with warmest wishes,
Toby
Toby Swimmer
Project Manager
[email redacted]