Solar-Fabrik Opens African Solar For Schools

Summer 2012 sees Solar-Fabrik AG offer its support to two school projects in Africa in the form of sponsorship. The installation of the two solar systems with modules from Solar-Fabrik brings 1400 students into contact with modern solar technology and also contributes to improving the living and educational conditions in the African states. A technical school in Nyakrom, Ghana, received a system with an output of 9.2 Kilowatts (kW). At another project in the neighbouring state of Burkina Faso, a 1.6 kW system was installed at the Yalegtenga Village School.

Solar-Fabrik sponsors projects conducted by students and young people on the topic of photovoltaics on an ongoing basis, as well as projects for schools or medical facilities in Africa. For these projects, the company provides solar modules from the manufacturing plant in Freiburg. "Off-grid solar power systems are an effective instrument for sustainable development, particularly in the sunny regions of Africa. Here, we are glad to help them to help themselves," explains Sofie Roeder, Sponsoring Officer at Solar-Fabrik AG. "In 2012, we have supported two projects which enable and facilitate the use of solar technologies for the students in a special way." 

In At the Nyakrom Senior High Technical School in Nyakrom, southern Ghana, 1200 students can obtain a qualification which enables them to study for a degree. Solar-Fabrik provided the school with 74 modules with a total output of 9.2 kW. An 8.5 kW system was installed on the school site, whilst a small 750 watt system was installed on a second building. The conception of the project within a partnership was crucial for gaining the commitment of Solar-Fabrik: As the initiator, the International Solar Energy Research Center ISC Konstanz e.V. found a partner in the Landesgymnasium fuer Hochbegabte (State Grammar School for the Highly Gifted - LGH) in Schwäbisch-Gmuend, Baden-Wuerttemberg. 9 students of the LGH aged between 13 and 18 were trained by the ISC Konstanz in different subject areas: in the physics of the solar cells, in project management and in the planning and dimensioning of photovoltaic (PV) systems. Following their training, they then carried out the project in Ghana themselves under the guidance of the ISC Konstanz. The German students passed on their knowledge to a partner group from the school in Nyakrom and developed a syllabus for teaching about photovoltaics which can be used in the school and for other projects in the future. 

A Freiburg initiative was realized early in 2012, when an island system with an output of 1.6 kW was installed at the Yalegtenga Village School in Burkina Faso. For this project, Solar-Fabrik AG provided 15 solar modules. To help with the acquisition of the remaining system components, as well as meeting challenges in construction, transport and assembly, further project partners were found. The partners were able to put the system into operation at the end of March. Using the battery-stored solar energy generated, the students now have light to do their homework at school in the evening. Soon, an evening school with literacy courses for women should be opened.

The Freiburg-based society Solarenergie fuer Afrika (Solar Energy for Africa) put up half of the remaining costs - they were financed from the proceeds of the sale of African mangoes and from donations from the society.