The people of Haiti have undergone many hardships throughout the years and that is why the Haiti Empowerment Project was created. It brings the intellectual and material resources of Ohio State University (OSU) together with Haitian counterparts to assist in the development and implementation of a culturally relevant project.

An Ohio State University student group, Solar Education and Outreach, a student chapter of the American Solar Energy Society, initiated a sustainable project for Haiti after members had learned that one of Haiti's largest problems is the lack of electricity --- specifically for lighting. A decision was that during 2012 the group would add electricity and lighting to a small school in Haiti by installing a complete solar powered energy system.

Once the team assembled all of the necessary solar system components, members made plans to send a team of dedicated undergraduate students from OSU's solar group to visit Haiti over the 2012 spring break for the installation of the solar system.

To prepare for the project the group sought sponsorship support from key manufacturers of solar system components. When the team contacted Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures, the company immediately committed to contribute three J1614HW enclosures to house the solar panel controls.

Stahlin had suggested the J Series product line for this project because it is a versatile industrial enclosure with varied applications for use with high-end electronics like those found on solar system installations. Plus, the J Series rugged design, in combination of over fifty plus year's experience, has proven to hold extreme reliability in tough environments and would definitely stand up to the demands for this Haiti solar power system.

The OSU solar group knows the 2012 Haiti project was a total success because the new solar panels will now help light up the classroom. Plus, the University Caribe students were able to gain valuable hands on experience with real electrical components while working on the project.

The OSU group also knows they could not have been able to accomplish this project without support from companies like Stahlin Non-Metallic Enclosures. The company was willing to supply the right components that helped make this solar power system work successfully and for that the OSU solar group is grateful.