Solar Restaurant

The objective of the project is the construction of a Solar Restaurant by Solar Women of Totogalpa (SWT). The restaurant will be located in the Solar Center, in the rural community of Sabana Grande, Totogalpa. The restaurant shall serve as a model of the efficient use of renewable energy for the preparation of healthy food as well as to demonstrate the feasability of using solar energy for the development of economic activities.

The restaurant will be constructed using perfected adobes and electrified with handmade photovoltaic panels created by the members of SWT. Once complete, the restaurant will offer various healthy dishes prepared with innovative methods using renewable energy in the form of solar cookers, parabolic cookers, solar dryers, a biodigestor, and an eco-stove.

The ingredients used in the restaurant and for creation of the Solar Products will be taken from the organic gardens and fruit trees planted in the Solar Center. The surplus products from these gardens will be commercialized in Sabana Grande so that the other community members can also enjoy the benefits of healthy, organic alimentation. For those ingredients that cannot be cultivated in the Solar Center, the women are creating a network of organic produce providers within the community. In this manner, SWT meets the needs of the restaurant and also contributes to the development of the community.

In addition, because this project is being directed and executed by a group of women it will not only strengthen their self-esteem and leadership abilities, but also promote gender equality. While constructing the restaurant, the women will work side by side with the men of the community. Some of the SWT associates are experts at adobe elaboration and will be the ones to supervise the construction process. Moreover, the women direct and participate in the maintenance and care of the organic gardens, the construction of solar panels, solar cookers, and dryers. By taking part in work usually dominated by men, these women show their ability to excel and succeed in various productive activities.