Vladimir Delagneau Barquero’s desire to address rural electricity access began in 1986 when he was 18 years-old. While serving in the army he experienced the challenges of living in an isolated community without electricity, relying only on kerosene and a diesel generator. As the member of his squad responsible for radio communications, he acquired a small solar panel to charge radio batteries. The impact of the technology on his work left a lasting impression. After his army service he returned to school with a new-found commitment to help Nicaragua’s rural poor. He obtained a scholarship to study solar energy in Germany and then returned to Nicaragua and founded Tecnosol. Currently he is the President of ANPPER, the Renewable Energy Association in Nicaragua.