Solar Electric Light Fund: Volunteer

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have volunteer opportunities?
Yes! SELF offers several volunteer opportunities through our Washington, D.C. office. We list these regularly on www.idealist.org.

Can I go to the field with you?
We regret we do not have the ability to take volunteers into the field. Please read more here.

Do you provide carbon offsets?
Yes. SELF offers carbon offsets through our Carbon Neutral Club. We have helped several institutions, including Clinton Global Initiative and PopTech, offset the carbon impact of their events through donations to our projects.

My village needs solar power. Can you help us?
At this time we are booked through 2011. However we are accepting project proposals for 2012 and beyond. Please send your inquiry to info@self.org and provide a brief description of the project including specific location, type of facility, proximity to the electric grid, number of people served, and sources of funding.

Can you fund my project?
SELF does not have the ability to fund projects. We work with partners who bring funding to the partnership.

Do you do projects in the US?
SELF is an international development NGO and does not work in the United States. All of our current projects are located in developing countries. In 2001 SELF completed one project within North America in the Navajo Nation (a sovereign nation).

Do you manufacture or sell solar panels?
No. For information on solar equipment, click here.

Do you do installations in the US?
No. For a list of solar installers in the U.S., click here.

Can I hire Bob Freling to speak at an event?
Yes. Our executive director, Bob Freling, may be available to speak at your event. For more information, please contact Julie Junod, Office and Communications Manager julie@self.org.

Do you train solar installers?
Yes and no. SELF’s project managers train local villagers to install and maintain solar electric systems in the communities where we work. This is part of our philosophy of “self-reliance” and ensures the projects are sustainable and easily replicable. We do not do any training in the United States, and we do not have the ability to train people who would like to travel and help with a solar installation.