In the remote landscapes of Fundación, Magdalena, Colombia, electricity has always been a fragile luxury. The Kankawarwa Community—home to about 1,800 Arhuaco people—has relied for generations on cacao cultivation, coffee, and corn. Their farming is not just work; it’s a way of life, a connection to the land, and a tradition passed down through centuries. 🌱
For these families, life follows the rhythm of the land. Crops are nurtured with care, meals are shared, and culture is preserved in every daily practice. Yet, without reliable electricity, even simple tasks—processing cacao, keeping schools running, or powering clinics—can be disrupted. Outages were more than inconvenient; they hindered productivity, education, and growth.
The community dreamed of stability, a way to honor tradition while embracing the future. They needed a solution that could deliver clean, reliable energy—without compromising their sacred connection to the land.
The hurdles were clear:
1) Electricity from the grid was limited and unpredictable.
2) A scalable, off-grid energy solution was required.
3) Energy had to support both homes and agricultural activities.
4) Long-term reliability was essential in a remote location.
Every day without power was a reminder of the community's resilience—and the urgency for change.
Together with GivePower, a nonprofit committed to expanding clean energy access, we designed and deployed a solar + storage system tailored to the Kankawarwa's needs.
Step by step, the system took shape. Solar panels captured the abundant Colombian sunlight, while 18 Pytes V5 batteries with HUB stored energy to keep the community running day and night. Schools stayed open, homes lit up, and cacao processing became smoother and more reliable.
System at a glance:
1) 4 × Victron 10 kW inverters
2) 1 × Fronius inverter for AC coupling
3) 18 × Pytes V5 batteries with HUB
Pytes was chosen not just for performance, but for support.
Our local team ensured smooth commissioning, on-the-ground assistance, and fast response whenever needed.
1) Modular system for future growth
2) Proven integration with Victron and Fronius in off-grid setups
3) Local support team ready to act fast, keeping the system running reliably in a remote environment
4) On-site commissioning to ensure every detail worked perfectly
In Fundación, having a local team meant peace of mind. Whenever challenges arose, help was never far—speed and reliability mattered as much as the technology itself.
Today, the Kankawarwa Community enjoys stable, clean energy to approximately 1,800 community members for the first time.
Life has changed, bit by bit:
1) Improved living conditions and daily reliability2) Enhanced productivity for local cacao farming
3) Reduced dependence on fossil fuel-based generation
4) Greater access to economic, educational, and health opportunities
Energy is no longer a barrier; it's a bridge to resilience and sustainable growth.
Founded in 2013 in Austin, Texas, GivePower delivers clean energy to underserved communities worldwide. They've powered 2,400+ schools, built over 2,650 solar projects, deployed 15 Solar Water Farms, and impacted 1.9 million people across 28 countries. Their partnership with Pytes shows how technology, local support, and community collaboration can spark real change.
This project highlights how scalable, reliable energy storage solutions like Pytes V5 can empower communities, drive sustainable development, and create long-term impact where energy access is limited. The customer is extremely satisfied with both the system performance and the service provided, reinforcing Pytes' commitment to delivering not only reliable products, but also exceptional partner support.
GivePower continues to represent a strong opportunity in the off-grid segment, particularly through its high-impact projects. We are currently collaborating on additional projects in the region, further strengthening this promising partnership. At Pytes, we remain committed to supporting our partners with responsive service, technical expertise, and scalable solutions to drive success in every project.
