Solar Electricity for an African School

TanzSolar has completed one school installation and we are half way to full funding for the next school system. The first system, the Tegeruka Secondary School, was paid by 3 family foundations and it has been working very well. Tanzsolar LTD has been visiting the school regularly in order to observe the operation and evaluate the utilization of the PV system that was installed at Tegeruka. Students are coming back to school in he evening to study and teachers are pleased to have electricity that help them to prepare lessons for the next day. Having lights helps the Laboratory Technician to prepare equipment so that sutdents can do practical exercises the following day. T hey are happy that they don't buy kerosene anymore for the old kerosene lanterns. Tanzsolar is doing maintenance such us fixing teachers home solar systems, replacing broken switches and bulbs at school.

Tanzsolar LTD is planning to install new PV system at a new school, Buruma Secondary School . The plan is to have a 60W panel a 15A controller and a small number of LED bulbs. This will be helpful to start with while Tanzsolar is raising funds in order to reconfigure it to bigger system.

We thank you again for your support, and assure you that we are making the most of your donations to give the students in rural Tanzania light to study by in their classrooms.

News Update: TanzSolar is the proud recipient of the National Energy Globe Award for Tanzania for 2013!

On 28th May 2014 a visit was made to Tegeruka to inspect the school's solar system.   We found that it is functioning in good order.  The solar lighting is enabling students to return to the school to study at night. Unfortunately this is only useful for the boy students as it is too dangerous for the girls to walk to school at night.  We would like to make take-home lights available for the girls.

Students are now able to do experiments during the day using the solar lights. The solar system supports the school's Laboratory and has allowed it to add an electronic balance scale (TP-B500) that it is being used to measure samples that are needed in doing laboratory experiments.  The teachers are using the lights at night to prepare laboratory tests for the next day's experiments.  

The administration block teachers are now able to work late into the night to prepare lessons for the next day.  This has helped them to perform their work in a better way. They have also been able to use a TV system and DVD player for teaching purposes. The TV system also allows teachers and students to watch movies on Saturday during the day.

CLASSES

In classroom "A" 2 lights are replaced by Tanzsolar and there is a need to replace another 3 lights for the classroom to be fully lighted. In class"B" 3 lights are replaced and there is a need for another 3 lights to be replaced for the classroom to be fully lighted.

Overall the teachers and students are pleased to have the solar lighting systems that help them in many ways. The teachers have also selected the top girl performing students from each of the four forms and Tanzsolar will provide a small solar light to each girl student so that they may study at home during the night.

TEACHERS HOME SYSTEMS.

In addition to the school primary photovoltaic systems, the teachers who live on campus were each given a Home Solar Power System.  \One teacher's home system has been damaged and needs to be replaced.  At present the teacher is charging a car battery and using solar system lights. The headmaster's home system is in need of a new battery. The second master's home system isn't working due to a bad connection to the solar panel. The panel has been returned to the office for repair.  It was suggested by the teachers that for security of the panels, a security light should be added behind the Administration block.

OFF CAMPUS TEACHERS

The teachers who are not living on campus have expressed a need for portable solar lanterns. This may be solved by making available the purchase of the NIWA lights that will soon arrive at Tanzsolar.

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