Ancient Maya Site Enters the Solar Age 

Xunantunich, one of Belize’s most visited Maya archaeological sites, just got hooked to solar energy. The Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) and the National Institute of Culture and History (NICH) commissioned a new solar power system for the first time in its nearly 30-year history.

The system generates enough clean energy to power the site’s operations around the clock, supporting everything from ticket scanners at the entrance to lighting and communications across the reserve.

It will also enable the “expansion of e-ticketing and modern communication systems.”

The system generates up to 1,500 kWh of clean energy monthly, roughly equivalent to powering several average Belizean households for a month.

For a heritage site that draws tourists from across the world, it is a long overdue milestone. BEL and NICH say it reflects a “joint commitment to cultural preservation and renewable energy”.