Om Swati: The Abbot of the famous Kopan Monastery in Nepal, Lama Tenchö, and his engineer Lama Gelek, came to the Lotus Energy office to request our help. They knew that Lotus Energy had over ten years experience providing renewable energy solutions for even the most complex demands. Lama Tenchö explained to a staff member who specialized in religious institutions that their monastery was building a new garden area and he was worried about the use of a noisy and costly generator. Lama Tenchö said that as a monk, he felt “great responsibility for the welfare of all beings, for the health of his monks and for the environment as a whole.” Lotus Energy values such strong commitment to the environment and wanted to help the Abbot in any way.
 

The Lotus Energy team visited the Monastery to work out how to provide a special solution to the concerned head monks of Kopan. On our visit, we were impressed by the beautiful compound. It was clear that the monastery was interested in creating an atmosphere conductive to meditation and study. The Abbot told us, “Students of ours should feel comfortable to know that the monastery is a safe and healthy place, not just for them but the all the monks living there - a healthy body for a healthy mind.”

Aware of serious health concerns like kerosene and generator exhaust, Kopan Monastery was looking to reduce lung and eye problems. Noise and unreliability were difficulties for the Abbot who said it took over ten minutes to get the large generator going once the main power lines failed. The Monastery had already invested in advanced solar water heating technology to make the foreigners feel more comfortable and reduce unnecessary electricity costs.

A monk passing by  the solar garden light
 

The Abbot explained that the role of the institution was to spread the holy teachings of the Dharma to all people and they couldn't do that without the serious commitment of foreign benefactors. “The benefactors are interested to know that their sponsorship is sustainable and secure, thus the less the generator is used and the less the monthly electricity bill, the better.”, he explained. Foreign benefactors are satisfied by a socially responsible operation of the institution a custom made clean and reliable solar energy installation was our solution.

The Lotus team has eased the Abbot's worries by designing and installing a unique and reliable solar outdoor lighting system which adds to the peaceful atmosphere that the monastery so clearly needs. Now, the monastery is enjoying a brightly lit Stupa, flowing water fountains and 100 golden statues shining vibrantly through out the night. Foreign students meditate peacefully next to clean and environmentally friendly garden lights from early morning until past sundown. They told us they were glad to be part of a monastery that showed responsibility to the environment, to health and to renewable energy.

Project Manager Scott Russell receiving blessings from the head monk

Lotus Energy is proud to have contributed to the success of Kopan Monastery. More renewable energy projects are underway as Kopan's shift to solar electricity is becoming world known. Kopan Monastery's choice should be an example to all of us showing responsibility for nature, health and the future of our planet.