First batch of solar panels arrives-to be installed as a pilot
Georgetown, GINA, November 16, 2011
Source - GINA
Following the completion of training of 355 villagers, from 184 hinterland communities, the Hinterland Electrification Unit based at the Office of the Prime Minister is preparing to install the first 1000 solar panels which as a pilot.
The panels are already in the country and the Unit is awaiting the arrival of the supporting materials which include switches and cables for the internal wiring of the systems. The remaining 10,000 panels are expected to arrive in December, Head of the Hinterland Electrification Programme, Horace Williams told the Government Information Agency (GINA).
This project is a part of Government’s thrust to tap into alternative forms of energy supply while ensuring the provision of a much needed utility to people residing in remote Amerindian communities, particularly those that cannot be connected to a power grid.
Additionally, this project is a crucial component identified within the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), and ushered-in the second stage of the Hinterland Electrification Programme (HEP) which is a part of the national Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UNEP), launched in 2005, when the Government began exploring options for the sustainable electrification of the hinterland.
To ensure the devices are properly maintained, training was provided in the assembling, installation and maintenance of the systems. To date, 1,729 households, 21 primary schools and 2 health centers have benefitted from the HEP. An assessment which concluded in 2010 revealed that the solar systems have helped to improve the quality of life in many households, with increases in appliances owned, increased reading, completion of school assignments, listening to educational programmes and increases in economic activities such as sewing, knitting and cake making.
It is expected that such achievements will be replicated in the other communities that will be receiving solar panels shortly.
The package for distribution will include a photo-voltaic panel, 6A-12V DC charge controller, 67 Ah -12V deep cycle gelled electrolyte battery fitted with suitable terminals, sunlight resistant cable, 10 A, 1-pole DC circuit breaker, 9W-12VDC compact fluorescent lamps and a DC lightning arrester, with a unit cost of US$241.
Based on a study done by the Hinterland Project Preparation Component of the UAEP, solar panels were identified as the best alternative energy source for the hinterland. This is based on several factors including limited economic opportunities, lack of developed Infrastructure as compared to rural areas on the coastland, and villages are widespread and houses are largely dispersed from each other.
The study also revealed that solar energy is probably the energy source for a majority of hinterland areas hence Solar Home Systems (SHS) would facilitate the installation of individual, isolated systems avoiding the use of grids that would be costly due to long distribution lines.
Through the UAEP, access to electricity was provided to over 24,000 households. The aim of the project was to implement Government’s socio-economic development and poverty alleviation strategy and related polices, strengthen the legal, regulatory and institutional framework of the power sector and accelerate the development of the electricity sector and extension of services to unserved communities.
Georgetown, GINA, November 16, 2011
Source - GINA
Following the completion of training of 355 villagers, from 184 hinterland communities, the Hinterland Electrification Unit based at the Office of the Prime Minister is preparing to install the first 1000 solar panels which as a pilot.
The panels are already in the country and the Unit is awaiting the arrival of the supporting materials which include switches and cables for the internal wiring of the systems. The remaining 10,000 panels are expected to arrive in December, Head of the Hinterland Electrification Programme, Horace Williams told the Government Information Agency (GINA).
This project is a part of Government’s thrust to tap into alternative forms of energy supply while ensuring the provision of a much needed utility to people residing in remote Amerindian communities, particularly those that cannot be connected to a power grid.
Additionally, this project is a crucial component identified within the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS), and ushered-in the second stage of the Hinterland Electrification Programme (HEP) which is a part of the national Unserved Areas Electrification Programme (UNEP), launched in 2005, when the Government began exploring options for the sustainable electrification of the hinterland.
To ensure the devices are properly maintained, training was provided in the assembling, installation and maintenance of the systems. To date, 1,729 households, 21 primary schools and 2 health centers have benefitted from the HEP. An assessment which concluded in 2010 revealed that the solar systems have helped to improve the quality of life in many households, with increases in appliances owned, increased reading, completion of school assignments, listening to educational programmes and increases in economic activities such as sewing, knitting and cake making.
It is expected that such achievements will be replicated in the other communities that will be receiving solar panels shortly.
The package for distribution will include a photo-voltaic panel, 6A-12V DC charge controller, 67 Ah -12V deep cycle gelled electrolyte battery fitted with suitable terminals, sunlight resistant cable, 10 A, 1-pole DC circuit breaker, 9W-12VDC compact fluorescent lamps and a DC lightning arrester, with a unit cost of US$241.
Based on a study done by the Hinterland Project Preparation Component of the UAEP, solar panels were identified as the best alternative energy source for the hinterland. This is based on several factors including limited economic opportunities, lack of developed Infrastructure as compared to rural areas on the coastland, and villages are widespread and houses are largely dispersed from each other.
The study also revealed that solar energy is probably the energy source for a majority of hinterland areas hence Solar Home Systems (SHS) would facilitate the installation of individual, isolated systems avoiding the use of grids that would be costly due to long distribution lines.
Through the UAEP, access to electricity was provided to over 24,000 households. The aim of the project was to implement Government’s socio-economic development and poverty alleviation strategy and related polices, strengthen the legal, regulatory and institutional framework of the power sector and accelerate the development of the electricity sector and extension of services to unserved communities.