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Who are we?

Pico Sol was established in 1999 by a group of enthusiastic volunteers committed to development co-operation. From their work they are daily involved in solar business (production, research, consultancy, project realisation). They provide their know-how and energy to charity projects for free.

Giel Linthorst Giel Linthorst works as senior consultant at Ecofys. As project leader he is involved in various energy saving campaigns, both for domestic and commercial purposes. In 2007 he built his first solar pump at the most remote site of this world. At Pico Sol, he is the chairman. His personal motive: Life is more beautiful with clean energy.




Ronald Franken Ronald Franken (right) had his experience with solar power at the solar laboratories of Utrecht University. In the period of 2002-2006 he got a degree in thin film solar cells. After years of research in this expertise, he is currently working at Ecofys as solar energy consultant. His working area is over the whole world, from Senegal to Abu Dahbi and back in Holland. His tropical experiences are from 2003 (Ghana) and 2011 (Suriname).
Ronald's partner, Maike Ouwerkerk (left at the picture is educationalist. She is member of the Pico Sol board as Secretary. Ronald and Maike share their motive: "We will make solar energy so cheap that only the rich will burn fossil fuel".

Peter Scheijgrond Designer Peter Scheijgrond works in the field of tidal power. At Pico Sol Peter leaded several projects successfully: The solar pumps in Twabidi (Ghana) and Sowek (Papua). Peter distinguishes himself with a practical attitude, great ability to improvise and vigorous way of taking action.





Aad GordijnAad Gordijn came in touch with thin film solar cells as physics student. In the period 2001-2005 he did his PhD at Utrecht University. He investigated vacuum processes for the deposition of micro crystalline silicon. Since 2005 he is scientific fellow at Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany. At Pico Sol he is responsible for the semi-annual newsletter. Aad's personal motive: Clean energy from now on.



Henry de GooijerHenry de Gooijer is consultant in the field of energy in developing countries. In 1999 he established Pico Sol, where he set-up the Cambodian program. The establishment of solar company Kamworks in 2006 and NGO Pico Sol Cambodia in 2008 were important milestones. His personal motive: Affordable solar power for everybody.



Florian GeyerFlorian Geyer is daily involved in setting up renewable energy business since 2005 and has worked as a business and project developer for different solar companies. Florian is convinced by the opportunities for improvement of living circumstances and environment for people all over the world that are provided with solar power. Currently he is working as an advisor for the German development cooperation GIZ in Mozambique where one of his tasks is to support the development of the market for solar products.


Angele ReindersProf. dr. Angèle Reinders works at Universities of Delft and Twente. During field research to solar home systems in Indonesia, she literally saw the light. Indeed, good designed and developed systems can improve life in the countryside! Currently, Angèle is involved in product design and innobation of renewable energy systems. Her personal motto: Empowering people....of course with solar power!



Brenda RietveldSince 2004 Brenda Rietveld lived and worked in Uganda and Tanzania, where she was involved in bible translation projects for Wycliffe Bible Translators. In 2009 she moved to the Netherlands with her family. Brenda supports Pico Sol with secretarial work. Brenda: "Last years I experienced enough sunshine to be convinced that the Pico Sol mission could be effective in the developing world. I like the idea to support people living in these areas to make use of these resources to enable development!"

Ewout van der Beek In daily life Ewout van der Beek is consultant at Ecofys since 2008. He advises on sustainable use of energy at companies and authorities. During his education Energy Technology & Policy at University Eindhoven, the colleges on 'Technology for Development' took his interest on technology as a means to solve problems in developing countries. Ewout enjoys the Pico Sol vision to support developing projects that have a local basis. Currently he supports the foundation in The Netherlands. In the near future he will support Pico Sol projects on site.

Eelco Haarsma Eelco Haarsma is entrepreneur. From his company "Advisolar" he supplies turnkey solar systems in the Netherlands and the UK. Eelco built up a treasure of experiences in foreign countries, during his 10 year career in oil industry, especially in Kazakstan. For Pico Sol he realized a project in Cameroon in 2010, where he supervised a joint project of Pico Sol and Babungo Foundation.



Robert HeuckelbachRobert Heuckelbach works as electric engineer at KEMA. He is mostly involved in low voltage problems, electric safety issues and damage investigations. From his electric engineering background Robert supports Pico Sol with practical activities regarding design and installation of solar systems at Pico Sol.