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Nepal's Environment |
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Kathmandu's
Air Pollution |
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Kopan
Monastery's shift to solar electricity
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| Kopan Monastery |
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Swati, the Abbot of the famous Kopan Monastery in Nepal, Lama Tenchö,
and his engineer Lama Gelek, came to the Lotus Energy office to request
our help. They knew that Lotus Energy had over ten years experience providing
renewable energy solutions for even the most complex demands. Lama Tenchö;
explained to a staff member who specialized in religious institutions that
their monastery was building a new garden area and he was worried about
the use of a noisy and costly generator. |
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Lama
Tenchö said that as a monk, he felt "great responsibility for the
welfare of all beings, for the health of his monks and for the environment
as a whole.
Aware
of serious health concerns like kerosene and generator exhaust, Kopan Monastery
was looking to reduce lung and eye problems. Noise and unreliability were
difficulties for the Abbot who said it took over ten minutes to get the
large generator going once the main power lines failed. The Monastery had
already invested in advanced solar water heating technology to make the
foreigners feel more comfortable and reduce unnecessary electricity costs.
The
Abbot explained that the role of the institution was to spread the holy
teachings of the Dharma to all people and they couldn't do that without
the serious commitment of foreign benefactors. "The benefactors are interested
to know that their sponsorship is sustainable and secure, thus the less
the generator is used and the less the monthly electricity bill, the better.",
he explained. Foreign benefactors are satisfied by a socially responsible
operation of the institution a custom made clean and reliable solar energy
installation was our solution.
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Kopan
Monastery's solar array
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| The Kopan Monastery powered by 1.5 Kw Solar Array |
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Lotus team has eased the Abbot's worries by designing and installing a
unique and reliable solar outdoor lighting system which adds to the peaceful
atmosphere that the monastery so clearly needs. Now, the monastery is enjoying
a brightly lit Stupa, flowing water fountains and 100 golden statues shining
vibrantly through out the night. Foreign students meditate peacefully next
to clean and environmentally friendly garden lights from early morning
until past sundown. |
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Photos
and text: Lotus Energy
They
told the team they were glad to be part of a monastery that showed responsibility
to the environment, to health and to renewable energy.
More
renewable energy projects are underway as Kopan's shift to solar electricity
is becoming world known. Kopan Monastery's choice should be an example
to all of us showing responsibility for nature, health and the future of
our planet.
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Information
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Links
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External
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