PAPERS + Fact Sheets
EarthSpark International researches, develops, and implements energy access innovations that contribute to the global energy transition. Read our selection of policy advocacy, position papers, and lessons from the field to learn more.
FEATURED PAPERs
Studies for Voltage Maintenance in Microgrid Development in the La Margarita Community in Salinas, Puerto Rico
Together with the Sandia National Labratory and Abeyno Coop, EarthSpark's technical lead, Adam Eberwein, helped pen an assessment of a voltage maintenance approach in the development of Abeyno's planned microgrid in Salinas, Puerto Rico.
Abstract: Microgrids at the scale of a distribution feeder can provide an opportunity for communities to improve local electrical service and reliability. In particular, microgrids utilizing a combination of photovoltaic (PV) power generation and battery energy storage have gained increasing interest in Puerto Rico in
recent years. This paper provides an overview of two voltage studies used to inform decision-making for the development of a feeder-level microgrid in Salinas, Puerto Rico. The studies explore options for using existing distribution line equipment from the utility and islanding portions of the feeder then utilizing different volt-var control parameters for different PV addition scenarios. While preliminary, the results of these studies can further inform the design and implementation of the microgrid.
Index terms- microgrids, resilience, voltage
Find the full paper overview here or download the PDF directly here.
Together with the Sandia National Labratory and Abeyno Coop, EarthSpark's technical lead, Adam Eberwein, helped pen an assessment of a voltage maintenance approach in the development of Abeyno's planned microgrid in Salinas, Puerto Rico.
Abstract: Microgrids at the scale of a distribution feeder can provide an opportunity for communities to improve local electrical service and reliability. In particular, microgrids utilizing a combination of photovoltaic (PV) power generation and battery energy storage have gained increasing interest in Puerto Rico in
recent years. This paper provides an overview of two voltage studies used to inform decision-making for the development of a feeder-level microgrid in Salinas, Puerto Rico. The studies explore options for using existing distribution line equipment from the utility and islanding portions of the feeder then utilizing different volt-var control parameters for different PV addition scenarios. While preliminary, the results of these studies can further inform the design and implementation of the microgrid.
Index terms- microgrids, resilience, voltage
Find the full paper overview here or download the PDF directly here.
A map from the paper illustrates the substation, feeder, and proposed La Margarita Microgrid configuration in Salinas, Puerto Rico.
Validating eCooking in Planning and Operations of Solar Microgrids in Haiti
With support from the Modern Energy for Cooking Services (MECS) Program and funding from UK International Development, EarthSpark's Phase 2
Phase 2 unfolds in the context of Haiti’s evolving national energy landscape and an increasingly urgent need for solutions that improve energy access and reliability, reduce dependence on charcoal, and empower local institutions. Across technical modeling, consumer finance assessments, institutional consultations, and operational fieldwork, the project consistently reveals that eCooking is uniquely positioned to advance EarthSpark’s mission of delivering clean, affordable, reliable energy. The work draws extensively from advanced microgrid modeling conducted with the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), internal financial mechanism reviews, community-level institutional engagements, and the organization’s operational adaptation following the Tiburon microgrid fire.
Four themes emerged throughout the project:
1. eCooking is central to the performance and economics of 100% solar-powered microgrids.
2. Institutional cooking is a viable and strategically important early-entry market.
3. Consumer finance and results-based financing (RBF) tools are essential for scaling adoption.
4. Operational analysis validates substantial mid-day energy availability and confirms community readiness to engage with eCooking.
Read the full PDF report here.
With support from the Modern Energy for Cooking Services (MECS) Program and funding from UK International Development, EarthSpark's Phase 2
Phase 2 unfolds in the context of Haiti’s evolving national energy landscape and an increasingly urgent need for solutions that improve energy access and reliability, reduce dependence on charcoal, and empower local institutions. Across technical modeling, consumer finance assessments, institutional consultations, and operational fieldwork, the project consistently reveals that eCooking is uniquely positioned to advance EarthSpark’s mission of delivering clean, affordable, reliable energy. The work draws extensively from advanced microgrid modeling conducted with the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder), internal financial mechanism reviews, community-level institutional engagements, and the organization’s operational adaptation following the Tiburon microgrid fire.
Four themes emerged throughout the project:
1. eCooking is central to the performance and economics of 100% solar-powered microgrids.
2. Institutional cooking is a viable and strategically important early-entry market.
3. Consumer finance and results-based financing (RBF) tools are essential for scaling adoption.
4. Operational analysis validates substantial mid-day energy availability and confirms community readiness to engage with eCooking.
Read the full PDF report here.
Memo: Electric cooking potential, willingness to pay, and costing in Haiti
A literature review and summary of key findings from EarthSpark's electric cooking pilot in rural Haiti. "If every new grid or microgrid electricity connection had not only a light bulb and plug but also an electric kitchen, both the clean cooking sector and the electricity access would likely advance more quickly and efficiently with greater benefits to people and planet."
Web version here and PDF version here.
A literature review and summary of key findings from EarthSpark's electric cooking pilot in rural Haiti. "If every new grid or microgrid electricity connection had not only a light bulb and plug but also an electric kitchen, both the clean cooking sector and the electricity access would likely advance more quickly and efficiently with greater benefits to people and planet."
Web version here and PDF version here.
electric cooking webinar
In 2025, the Modern Energy for Cooking Services (MECS) program of Loughborough University hosted a webinar series, "eCooking in off-grid contexts."
EarthSpark's president, Allison Archambault, presented on EarthSpark's experience and vision for eCooking in the Haitian minigrid context. "What we found was that eCooking had the potential to be the 'killer app' of minigrid design and operations that also delivered very important benefits to our customers," shared Archambault. Watch the full session below.
EarthSpark's president, Allison Archambault, presented on EarthSpark's experience and vision for eCooking in the Haitian minigrid context. "What we found was that eCooking had the potential to be the 'killer app' of minigrid design and operations that also delivered very important benefits to our customers," shared Archambault. Watch the full session below.
Kwison Elektrik: Solar Power for Electricity Access and Electric Cooking in Haiti
A research project in rural Haiti demonstrates the effectiveness of electric cooking technologies powered by solar microgrids to improve the quality of life for community members while generating new revenue streams and opportunities for energy access providers.
The executive summary and link to download the full report is here.
A research project in rural Haiti demonstrates the effectiveness of electric cooking technologies powered by solar microgrids to improve the quality of life for community members while generating new revenue streams and opportunities for energy access providers.
The executive summary and link to download the full report is here.
Previous EarthSpark papers
Viable Productive Uses of Electricity Programs Remain Elusive:
A practitioner's field-based recommendations for overcoming challenges
By Brian Gurr and Allison Archambault
Productive uses of electricity such as machines that can perform agricultural processing are core to unlocking the economic development potential of community microgrids around the world. While energy access funders are now interested in this concept, the reality remains that truly transformative ‘plug and play’ applications remain elusive. Read the full paper here.
Medium Voltage Distribution Considerations in Clean Energy Community-Scale Microgrids
Community-scale clean energy microgrids have characteristics that make them different from large-scale infrastructure and even from diesel-powered microgrids. While there is little written on this topic, we posit here that choosing an appropriate medium voltage level is important for stable and efficient microgrid operation.
Read more:
Medium Voltage and National Grid Interconnection Considerations
by Adam Eberwein
(Cliquer ici pour la version en français: Discussion sur le système de distribution d'EarthSpark en moyenne tension)
Minigrid Distribution System Voltages
by Doug Danley
(Cliquer ici pour la version en français: Notes sur le choix du niveau de la moyenne tension pur un micro-réseau)
Community-scale clean energy microgrids have characteristics that make them different from large-scale infrastructure and even from diesel-powered microgrids. While there is little written on this topic, we posit here that choosing an appropriate medium voltage level is important for stable and efficient microgrid operation.
Read more:
Medium Voltage and National Grid Interconnection Considerations
by Adam Eberwein
(Cliquer ici pour la version en français: Discussion sur le système de distribution d'EarthSpark en moyenne tension)
Minigrid Distribution System Voltages
by Doug Danley
(Cliquer ici pour la version en français: Notes sur le choix du niveau de la moyenne tension pur un micro-réseau)
Others' Papers We'd like to share
"Agrivoltaics" is the co-location of agriculture + photovoltaics (solar panels). Building solar generation this way enables a 'dual harvest' of both crops and energy from the same piece of land. We think this is very relevant for Haiti, and we were happy to speak with researchers from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory to help inform their paper, Adapting Agrivoltaics for Solar Mini-Grids in Haiti.
Outside of the paper, here are two photos from EarthSpark grids in Haiti that we love:
Outside of the paper, here are two photos from EarthSpark grids in Haiti that we love:
Renegade solar corn in Les Anglais
Solar grazing guest in Tiburon
Women, Energy, and Economic Empowerment from Deloitte University Press explores the link between gender empowerment and energy access:
"We believe that while there are many areas critically important for women’s development, energy access programs are an under-explored lever for women’s economic empowerment."
"We believe that while there are many areas critically important for women’s development, energy access programs are an under-explored lever for women’s economic empowerment."
Energy poverty resources
Lost in the dark: A survey of energy poverty from space
Leveraging computational analysis of remotely sensed data, this paper finds, "At least 1.18 billion are energy poor across the developing world, revealing no statistical evidence of electricity usage from space. That total is 60% higher than the official global estimate of 733 million lacking electricity access, indicating that far more work is needed to address energy justice and equity gaps." (emphasis added. Published 2024 with 2020 data.)
Read more and download the full paper here.
Leveraging computational analysis of remotely sensed data, this paper finds, "At least 1.18 billion are energy poor across the developing world, revealing no statistical evidence of electricity usage from space. That total is 60% higher than the official global estimate of 733 million lacking electricity access, indicating that far more work is needed to address energy justice and equity gaps." (emphasis added. Published 2024 with 2020 data.)
Read more and download the full paper here.
Access to Electricity: Who Remains Without Power?
A visually excellent resource, this World Bank information page breaks down statistics by region. "Global electricity access has expanded steadily over the past two decades, yet progress remains deeply uneven. While most regions have achieved near-universal coverage, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to lag significantly, particularly its rural communities." (Published 2026 with 2023 data)
Read more here.
A visually excellent resource, this World Bank information page breaks down statistics by region. "Global electricity access has expanded steadily over the past two decades, yet progress remains deeply uneven. While most regions have achieved near-universal coverage, Sub-Saharan Africa continues to lag significantly, particularly its rural communities." (Published 2026 with 2023 data)
Read more here.
The 2024 edition of Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report monitors and assesses achievements in the global quest for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030. The latest available data and selected energy scenarios reveal that at today’s rate of progress, the world is not on track to achieve SDG 7. This is particularly true of the most vulnerable countries and those that were already lagging. This report also examines various ways to bridge the gaps, chief among them the goal of significantly scaling up renewable energy while maximizing its socioeconomic benefits. Go to the SDG7 Tracking site. (There's Haiti specific tracking there too. Spoiler : Haiti's not on track either. Astonishingly, the report finds that just 1% of people in rural Haiti have access to electricity.)