Empowering lives with solar energy in the US and Africa

Remarkably, in a city in East Africa that is home to two million people, as of 2018 there were no streetlights. In 2019, we installed solar-powered streetlights at the city's 'bus station'-a name that doesn't quite fit, as it was essentially a dirt field in the center of town.

When I visited after the lights were installed, the impact was immediately visible. Nearby stores stayed open later, crime in the area decreased, and, most unexpectedly, young children gathered under the lights to do their homework, as they didn't have reliable lighting at home. It was a powerful reminder of how something as simple as solar streetlights can transform a community.

As an African-American Orthodox Jew living in Jerusalem, my life's journey has been anything but conventional. I've lived at the crossroads of faith, culture, and innovation, and this perspective has shaped both my personal values and professional mission. Over the years, I've worked in finance, renewable energy, and education - fields that seemed unrelated at first, but have now converged in a project I'm deeply passionate about: Gigawatt Impact.

Gigawatt Impact is a charitable organization designed to bridge critical gaps in energy and education. Its mission focuses on three key areas: bringing solar energy to vulnerable Black communities in the U.S. - specifically empowering Black farmers, by engaging Historically Black Colleges and Universities that are land grant institutions. For over 150 years, HBCUs have been the knowledge center for Black communities in the United States, and since 1890 Black land grant institutions have supported Black farmers. Gigawatt Impact is proudly partnering with the Thurgood Marshall College Foundation to support land-grant HBCUs and their associated farmers to be climate resilient and power cutting edge agriculture technology to protect their crops and farm businesses. Globally, Gigawatt impact is bringing renewable energy to sub-Saharan Africa, including lighting up schools and orphanages in the region; and showcasing Israeli solar innovations.

Through this work, we're not just installing solar panels - we're empowering lives, building bridges between communities, and creating pathways to a brighter future.

Empowering Black Farmers Through Agrivoltaics

Agriculture has always been a pillar of African American heritage. I often think about my grandfather, a sharecropper who worked tirelessly on land that wasn't his own. Despite his efforts, systemic barriers and economic inequities meant his hard work rarely yielded prosperity. Today, Black farmers face similar struggles - shrinking land ownership, limited access to resources, and the challenge of competing in a modern agricultural economy.

In my travels I met a farmer in the rural South who said something that stuck with me: "Sometimes it feels like we're growing for nothing." That pain of putting so much effort into something with little reward is one I knew we could address.

That's why Gigawatt Impact is introducing agri-voltaics - cutting-edge technology that combines agriculture and solar energy for dual-use of land. Imagine rows of crops growing under solar panels that not only protect the plants from harsh sunlight but also generate renewable energy. Farmers benefit from dual income streams - one from their harvest and the other from selling energy back to the grid. Moreover, this technology boosts crop yields - especially for the types of crops that small Black farmers grow.

Agrivoltaics enhances land efficiency and reduces the risks of farming while providing financial stability. It's not just a technological solution; it's a pathway to restoring dignity and opportunity to Black and other disadvantaged farmers, ensuring their efforts are successful and their legacy endures for generations to come.

Supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities

HBCUs have always been beacons of hope and opportunity for the African-American community. These institutions produce a disproportionate number of Black professionals, leaders, and innovators. However, many of them face significant financial challenges that limit their ability to expand and innovate.

I've had the privilege of visiting HBCUs and seeing firsthand the incredible potential of their students. One of the things I'm most excited about with Gigawatt Impact is the opportunity to help these schools harness the power of solar energy.

By partnering with HBCUs to develop agrivoltaic installations, we can provide these institutions with a steady revenue stream and significantly reduce their energy costs. But it doesn't stop there. These projects also serve as living laboratories for students. Imagine engineering majors working on solar project designs, business students managing financing models, and environmental science students studying renewable energy impacts, and agriculture students learning how to boost crop yield with the technology -all while gaining hands-on experience in one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global economy.

This isn't just about saving money; it's about equipping the next generation with the skills they need to lead in the renewable energy industry, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and success.

Lighting Up Schools and Orphanages in Sub-Saharan Africa

When I first began working on renewable energy projects in Africa, I was struck by a heartbreaking reality: over 600 million people on the continent live without access to electricity. This lack of power affects everything-from healthcare to education to basic quality of life.

Schools and orphanages are particularly vulnerable. I visited one orphanage where children studied by candlelight, their faces shadowed and their opportunities dimmed by a lack of resources. This is why Gigawatt Impact is committed to equipping schools and orphanages in sub-Saharan Africa with solar power, in addition to our work bringing utility-scale renewable energy fields to increase grid-capacity and promote economic development throughout the region. We just completed building 6 additional classrooms in Burundi, the world's poorest country, by sponsoring 200,000 bricks, a tin roof and some basic solar lighting. At a cost of only $25,000 and bringing greater dignity to the 1,400 students, many barefoot, who are the future of Africa.

Our projects go beyond simply installing panels. By integrating solar technology, we create safe, sustainable environments where children can learn, play, and dream without interruption. The electricity powers classrooms, provides refrigeration for food and medicine, and enables access to modern educational tools. It's about creating spaces where the next generation can thrive.

Sharing Israeli Innovation and Strengthening Bridges

Having lived in Israel for over 25 years, I've witnessed the country's transformation into the "Start-Up Nation." Israel is a global leader in agro-voltaic and renewable energy technology, and one of the most fulfilling aspects of Gigawatt Impact is bringing these innovations to underserved communities around the world.

This isn't just about technology-it's about fostering dialogue and building bridges. By incorporating Israeli solutions into our projects, we showcase Israel's contributions to global challenges while strengthening bonds between diverse communities. It's a reminder that collaboration knows no boundaries, and is a powerful if subtle way to promote Israel without the 'pro-Israel advocacy' veneer.

Lighting the Way for Future Generations

What excites me most about Gigawatt Impact is its emphasis on education and opportunity. At HBCUs, the projects are designed to involve students in every phase, from design to implementation. In Africa, solar power doesn't just light up schools-it powers dreams and ambitions.

I'll never forget seeing a young girl in an African school, her face illuminated by electric light for the first time. She looked up and said, "Now I can be anything." Moments like these are why I do this work.

A Shared Mission with the Orlando Jewish Community

Although I'm not a member of the Orlando Jewish community, I feel a profound connection to its values. Like many in this community, I'm guided by the principle of tikkun olam - repairing the world. Gigawatt Impact is an extension of that mission, creating a world where justice, sustainability, and compassion are at the forefront and where Israel and the Jewish community can be a renewable light unto the nations.

Join Me in Building a Brighter Future

Gigawatt Impact is just beginning its journey. Developing solar power plants and implementing agro-voltaic systems is complex, requiring technical expertise, financial resources, and collaboration. But the potential for changing lives is immense.

I invite you to join me in this mission. Whether through financial support, advocacy, or simply spreading the word, your involvement can make a difference. Together, we can harness the power of the sun to uplift communities, bridge divides, and create lasting change. We will also be sponsoring this coming summer a kosher tour of Rwanda to see our first African solar field at the Agahozo Shalom Youth Village.

Gigawatt Impact is more than a project-it's a testament to what's possible when we come together with a shared purpose. Let's build a brighter, more inclusive future, one solar panel at a time.

Weldon Turner is a co-founder of Gigawatt Impact, a US 501(c)3 non-profit working to bring solar energy to the poorest communities on the planet, including in the U.S. and sub-Saharan Africa. Born and raised in New Rochelle, N.Y., he now lives in Israel with his wife and five children and one grandson, and is an adjunct professor at Bar Ilan University, he has rabbinical ordination from the former Chief Judge of Jerusalem, Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg, he is also in the process of completing his Doctorate in environmental law.