NPR Day to Day: Guatemala Project Builds Tech from the Ground Up
February 1, 2007

XelaTeco opened its doors in Quetzaltenango (Xela), Guatemala in the summer of 2005 after an intensive search for engineering talent at local universities and engineering schools.  The highly skilled team that came together was comprised of 10 Guatemalan workers, of which 3 were women.  The combined skill sets of the team ranged from accounting and civil engineering to electronics and metal casting, many of the essentials for completing the varied projects they would soon undertake. 

In October 2005, XelaTeco won a UNDP-funded contract to produce and install a micro-hydroelectric system for a rural community in El Palmar, Guatemala. At the end of last year, the  finished system was unveiled and 40 families (approx. 200 people) now enjoy clean and renewable electricity in their homes for the first time.

In addition to micro-hydroelectric products, XelaTeco produces biodigesters, windmills, high efficiency stoves, pumps, water filters, and solar LED lighting systems. 

Whats new for XelaTeco in 2007 

In 2007, XelaTeco renewed its commitment to provide affordable electricity, sanitation and clean water to the rural poor. The one-year-old company strives to do this and help reduce the human impact on the environment by focusing on clean technologies.

One of XelaTeco’s major goals for this year is to continue improving its product line to make it cheaper and better for its clientèle: individuals, communities and local development agencies.  Infrastructure development  groups are turning out to be a more promising customer base than initially expected. For many, XelaTeco’s products enable them to fulfill their missions and get more for their buck, or in this case Quetzal. XelaTeco is strengthening its relationships with local non-profits like CEDEPEM and CDRO and has short-term contracts to produce biodigesters and water purifiers for communities served by these organizations. A big (and welcome) challenge for XelaTeco will be meeting the demand for products that its early successes have generated.

Overall 2007 looks to be as promising a year as 2006 for this green provider. If XelaTeco continues to progress at the same rate, it will light the way for many underserved communities in Central America.