Lighting up Hope and Communities aims to become a model for the creation of a financially self-sustaining business selling renewable energy products. Mujeres Solares de Totogalpa is a motivated group of women who are determined to improve the quality of life for themselves and their families in rural North West Nicaragua.

Working in partnership with a university research centre, an NGO and experts on solar technology, they are aiming to set up a co-operative enterprise, Lighting Up Hope and Communities, producing photovoltaic panels from recycled solar cells, solar cookers and dryers, and solar cooked/ dried food products and medicinal plants. These products will be made at and sold from a new Solar Center in the community.

The partnership expects the production centres to become completely self-sufficient, and expand to support other community development projects within 5 years. It also aims to support local, regional and national outreach and education efforts to bring this renewable energy development model to other communities.