---renewable energy at mmrf---
At MMRF, we believe strongly in the role that renewable energy can play in both conservation and development.
Staying at MMRF offers people a chance to live completely with renewable energy. All of the buildings at MMRF use solar charged battery based renewable energy systems for lighting. 
The Dorm and the Posh Pods, two of our student housing, have small two panel 12 volt DC lighting systems of about 100 watts each. The two thatch houses separate from the rest of the buildings also have a small battery based DC lighting system. All of these buildings have DC lights to allow for relaxing in the evening, reading and studying. These are modest systems of minimal cost that enhance the quality of living at MMRF.
The Garden House has a slightly larger system, with a 200 watt solar array and an inverter. This building is mostly used for overflow when we have classes, and as a sewing studio and wood working shop. This system runs sewing machine and lights.
The Kitchen and Dining room run off of a solar/wind hybrid system. This system also powers the wireless LAN and satellite internet. The array is comprised of a mixture of solar panels, with six 75 watt panels, two 60 watt panels, and a large 125 watt panel, for a total of 695 watts of solar panels. This system also has a small 400 watt wind turbine, which nicely compliments the solar array: when it is raining and windy, the panels are not getting any sun!
Our latest system installation was at the new classroom, with an array of five 125 watt panels for 625 watts of power. These panels were donated to MMRF by BP Solar, and with a charge controller, inverter and hardware donated by Outback Power. This system enables students to use computers, and for audio visual presentations.
Because MMRF is a farm working in agroforestry, all of the systems are roof mounted to avoid shading by trees.
We use renewable energy for more than lighting. All of the water at MMRF comes from a small spring some distance from the rest of the farm. The spring has been developed and is equipped with a submersible pump, powered by a 175 watt panel also generously donated to MMRF by BP Solar. This pump and panel keep our water tank full, pumping over 1500feet in distance, and 80 feet in elevation from the spring to the tank. From the tank the water is gravity fed to the kitchen, the shower, the gardens and the sinks at the dorm, the Posh Pods and the composting toilet.
MAYA MOUNTAIN
RESEARCH FARM
San Pedro Columbia
P.O. Box 153
Punta Gorda
Belize, C.A.
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