Solar Lighting in Mexico: a Ray of Hope in the Migration Crisis

A Historical Migration Crisis in Mexico

Mexico is currently experiencing significant migratory movements. These massive displacements from South and Central America to the North present new challenges for the government, which must manage the population’s influx. The UNHCR provides valuable institutional and material assistance to various areas of the country in collaboration with local governments.

In this context, the United Nations High Commissioner’s Office wished to establish LED solar streetlights to improve the infrastructure of municipalities facing this migration crisis. Solar public lighting is a high-impact social service whose highly efficient installation quickly enhances the security of areas lacking efficient urban streetlights.

Solar Lighting in Mexico: Between Opportunities and Reluctancy

It seems like autonomous lighting is an obvious choice in Mexico. The electricity costs are high, and the country benefits from abundant solar radiation in much of its territory, making photovoltaic streetlights easily profitable. The solar public lighting market has been highly dynamic for the past decade.

However, solar solutions still suffer from a poor image due to past mistakes, such as investing in low-quality products that led to the failure of numerous large-scale projects.

A Photovoltaic Streetlight that Addresses All Challenges

In order to prevent the recurrence of past mistakes in Mexico regarding solar lighting, the UNHCR carried out a rigorous selection process in the form of a framework agreement. The goal was to meet high-quality standards to ensure the long-term sustainability of the public lighting project.

In the end, Sunna Design’s solar solutions emerged as the answer to all the UNHCR’s criteria. They especially appreciated the smart streetlight solution’s durability, compactness, quick installation, and anti-theft features. The initial phase of the collaborative project between the UNHCR and Sunna Design started in Tapachula, a border town with Guatemala.

We installed 131 iSSL Maxi Road streetlights in 15 neighborhoods, with 3 of them located near migrant reception centers. Due to the pandemic and organizational issues with the Tapachula municipality, the project took place in two distinct phases: the first in 2019 and the second at the end of 2021.

Thousands of people benefit from the project. Residents of shelters, communities, and municipalities all warmly welcomed this initiative, which promotes peace and social bonds in neighborhoods. The UNHCR expressed its entire satisfaction with its partnership with Sunna Design.