Saint Catherine Goes Solar, Sets National First in Green Education

Belize is lighting the way when it comes to sustainability in education. Saint Catherine Academy in Belize City is making history as the first school in the country to run entirely on solar power. It’s a major milestone made possible through a partnership with ProSolar Engineering Limited and support from the United Nations Development Programme. It’s not just about cutting energy costs; it’s about setting a powerful example for the next generation. Tanya Arceo has more on how this green leap is transforming the classroom and the climate conversation.

 

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

Saint Catherine Academy is making history, becoming the first fully solar-powered school in Belize. It’s a groundbreaking achievement that signals a growing national commitment to renewable energy and climate-conscious education. But this isn’t just about cutting electricity bills. As Principal Dr. Salome Tillett puts it, it’s about preparing students to lead in a sustainable future. With support from ProSolar Engineering Limited and the United Nations Development Programme, this project is literally lighting the way for schools across the country.

 

Dr. Salome Tillett, Principal, St. Catherine Academy

“Well it is a start of a much bigger project I mean the dream is to one day run our buildings with solar power and I think its not so far off there was a time when it was so expensive it was unrealistic but in building partnerships we realize that it is possible. We look at renewable energy when we look at sustainability sustainable development of our environment care of the ocean the water waves everything it is already in our curriculum and of course seeing it in action helps to make it more alive so its not an abstract concept you are living it and you can impact it you can make a change.”

 

The project is part of UNDP’s Climate Promise initiative, which supports developing countries to reduce emissions and build climate resilience. UNDP Deputy Resident Representative Michael Lund explains why Belize is a priority.

 

Michael Lund, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative

“It’s a long term effort development doesn’t happen in a day it’s a journey it’s a process just keeping the importance of addressing climate change and energy agenda on a daily basis another thing of course that we do as also mentioned as UNDP we support the immobility projects so you will see the two buses that are running around Belize City that has a UNDP logo that is supported by the European Union also these wide partnerships with European Unions with other member stated to help fund these kind of initiatives.”

 

Powering this green transformation is ProSolar Belize, the company behind the technology that’s making it all possible. They didn’t just install the solar system, they donated it. Business Coordinator Isaias Valle says their mission is simple: make clean, reliable energy something every school in Belize can count on.

 

Isaias Valle, Business Coordinator, ProSolar Belize

“Today we are doing basically the system walk through of this charging station that we’ve put up it will be a its currently running on a five kilowatt battery that we have we’ve also installed ten solar panels at the top we’re currently discussing future collaborations with SCA as well we’d like to possibly install more solar for all of them they have a lot of roof space the perfect location for it.”

 

Tanya Arceo for News Five.

 

With solar panels now powering classrooms and minds alike, SCA hopes to inspire other schools in Belize to follow suit on the path toward a greener future.