History of SonLight Power
SonLight Power's founder and director, Allen Rainey, a former operations manager and journalist, turned advocate for renewable energy sources upon discovering how expensive it was to get grid electricity to his fifty acres of rural property. After researching alternatives for months Rainey decided on solar power. Installing solar power on his "campground" near Brookville, Indiana, cost about the same as connecting to the grid and without the "privilege" of paying an electric bill. The system, expanded modestly a couple of times, runs lights, tools, fans, a well pump and a freezer.
"It was easy to become an environmentalist during the process of developing this," Rainey said. "You wonder why we all aren't doing more. A small investment returns free power for thirty years and does a lot for the environment."
Rainey, who received his M.A. in Practical Theology with a mission concentration from Regent University in 2000, traveled with professors on numerous mission trips to developing countries around the world, during his studies.
In 2001, Rainey worked in cooperation with Shoulder to Shoulder (a medical missionary organization) and the Health Department of Honduras, to install two solar powered medical clinic refrigeration systems, allowing for storage of vaccines to prevent deadly childhood diseases. On this same trip, two other medical clinic systems were repaired, and through the support of College Hill Presbyterian Church in Cincinnati, two churches, in Santiago and LaGurama, received basic solar electric systems to power lighting.
In 2002, SonLight Power installed solar lighting systems in two churches in San Jose Yuro Honduras; repaired a medical clinic system for the government of Intibuca (Honduras) and added a backup power system to the emergency room at a clinic in Santa Lucia.
During 2003 SLP also installed a complete electrical system in Hope Children's Center in Kinangop Kenya and installed the first of 25 systems in rural areas around Conception Intibuca.
Central to the success of SonLight Power's mission is the training of local residents in the basics of renewable energy sources and the maintenance of their solar electric systems. "Providing workshops on the basic skills needed for installation and maintenance, serves not only to keep the power on, but also invests members of the community in the project." Rainey and his wife, Ann, adapted their 50 acres near Brookville, Indiana, called Camp Amakanata, to serve as a training and demonstration facility for volunteers and sponsors.