Every so often, we get to step back and see the numbers behind a project, and this month’s are worth sharing.

 

At one point, Senda de Vida 2 was home to more than 3,000 people. Today, fewer than 20 people live there.

 

But the work at the shelter hasn’t stopped. Our local partner still operates and maintains the site, and the bills don’t disappear just because the population does. Electricity, water, maintenance, and the infrastructure itself all still need to be paid for.

 

Before solar, electricity was a significant ongoing expense. One monthly bill from March 2025 totaled $11,158 MXN (~$608 USD).

Before solar: A March 2025 CFE electricity bill totaled $11,158 MXN (~$608 USD). Even with fewer residents at Senda de Vida 2, the shelter still has ongoing electricity costs.

 

In March 2025, our team installed a solar panel system at Senda de Vida 2 in Reynosa. Then came the waiting. Connecting to the grid required a bidirectional meter from CFE, Mexico’s federal electric utility, and the paperwork took until October 2025.

 

Since the system switched on, here’s what it has done:

It hasn’t all been smooth. In March, strong winds damaged about eight panels and knocked the system’s output down for three weeks. The system was restored by April, just in time for the sunniest months of the year, and production has been strong ever since.

 

It’s also a good reminder that our work doesn’t end when a project is installed. Our team stays connected with our local partners and is always on call to troubleshoot, repair, and support the infrastructure we’ve built together.

 

For this project, that ongoing technical support has been led by José, our resident electrical engineer and solar expert, who has managed the system from design through today. From navigating the CFE connection process to monitoring performance and troubleshooting when the panels were damaged, José has been involved every step of the way.

 

That ongoing relationship is part of what makes infrastructure last.

 

The savings have helped relieve a significant ongoing cost for our local partner, while helping keep Senda de Vida 2’s infrastructure operational and ready for whatever comes next.

 

Because displacement is unpredictable. A shelter that once housed thousands may be serving only a handful of people today, but that doesn’t mean its capacity should disappear.

 

That’s the kind of infrastructure we love building: it meets needs today, reduces ongoing costs, and keeps working quietly long after the work crew goes home.

 

Thank you for building it with us.

 

Solidarity Inc is a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization

EIN: 85-3924084