The mission of Grupo Fenix is to contribute to the wellbeing of rural communities in Nicaragua, creating an awareness of sustainable lifestyles through technical and cultural exchange, promotion, and research in the field of renewable energy. Grupo Fenix began in 1996 as a program of Proyecto de Fuentes Alternas de Energia (PFAE), a renewable energy group located at the National Engineering University (UNI) in Managua, Nicaragua.

Salud del Sol is collaboring with Grupo Fenix to enable the Las Mujeres Solares de Totogalpa to be successful in the solar autoclave joint venture.

To learn more about Grupo Fenix, visit their website:

Fenix Totogalpa
c/o Marco Antonio Perez
Apartado #30
Ocotal, Nueva Segovia, Nicaragua

The small rural community of Sabana Grande, Totogalpa is becoming a model for the research, production and promotion of renewable energy technologies and sustainable living in Nicaragua. If you drive by their newly built adobe center, located about 15km south of Ocotal on the main highway, you will see a sea of blue boxes with shiny lids (solar cookers), solar dryers, a solar water pump and of course solar panels that are all generating energy using one of the most abundant natural resources…the sun! The organization behind this exciting set of projects is Grupo Fenix, which is Nicaraguan-based and maintains the central office in the National Engineering University (UNI) in Managua.

Grupo Fenix’s primary goal is to research, develop and apply appropriate, renewable energy technologies in Nicaragua and works with Salud del Sol to fulfill the following objectives:

• To conduct practical research into appropriate energy technologies
• To integrate the research into the community to support local responsibility for projects
• To increase the technical skill level and employability of local people
• To improve health and living standards of families and communities

Grupo Fenix has supported the development of an on-site research team for the development of the Solar Autoclave.  Through out Fall 2008 a team of Chemical Engineers from the UNI will research two product designs of the autoclave as an undergraduate thesis.  This research will be conducted alongside of the product research of Salud del Sol within the University of Dayton School of Engineering Design Clinic.  Communication between the two research teams will be supported by Grupo Fenix.

Projects are funded through the offering of various hand-on workshops and courses on renewable energy to national and international students, professors, engineers, solar enthusiasts, development workers and just about anyone interested in the work Grupo Fenix is doing. The Solar Culture Course held in January and July allows participants the unique opportunity to live and learn in Sabana Grande while working alongside local community members as well as spending a few days exploring Nicaragua.

Another integral part of the organization is the volunteer program. Over the years Grupo Fenix has had the pleasure of working with a variety of hearty, energetic volunteers and is intent on continuing this tradition. The program provides the opportunity for people to learn a great deal about renewable energy, sustainable development work, and Nicaraguan culture. Volunteers have the opportunity to enjoy short and longterm stays in the community working on a wide range of projects. Grupo Fenix matches volunteers’ interests and skills with current organizational needs. Grupo Fenix provides culture immersion support for volunteers through the coordination of home stays within Sabana Grande as well as the arrangement of language courses through a local Spanish language school.

Read the February 2009 edition of La Salida del Sol, the Grupo Fenix newsletter including updates from the SEED award and stories from international Grupo Fenix volunteers. Download the newsletter (1.4Mb PDF) here:

Salud del Sol respectfully honors Dr. Richard Komp and his original research in the area of solar autoclaves. Dr. Komp has been a member of the Grupo Fenix family since it’s inception and continues to support the organization by providing lectures at the annual solar culture courses and providing training courses in solar panel construction to the team in Managua and Totogalpa. Read Dr. Komp’ short bio here.

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