Success Story

Using Solar Energy to Increase Wood Quality

The Zambrana Association of Agro-forest producers uses a solar-powered kiln to dry lumber, improving the quality of wood placed in the Dominican market 

Rogelio inspects a load of lumber drying in a solar-powered kiln. He works for the Agro-forest producers Association of Zambrana, in the Dominican Republic, a participant in the USAID/Dominican Republic Environmental Protection Investment Program (FIPA-Spanish acronym).  This solar drying process, used by 400 Association members, is improving the quality of the wood that the Association places in the Dominican market.  This, in turn, generates higher incomes for the Association members and their families. This solar-dried wood project is one of 26 FIPA (a component of the Improving Policies for Environmental Protection Project, IPEP) 1:1 investments that are protecting the environment while increasing economic opportunities for the country’s poor.