In late 2023, we installed solar and energy storage (batteries) on Chishi School, a
In partnership with Swansea-based Discovery Student Volunteering and the Siavonga Nutrition Group, the off-grid technologies help the schools in Siavonga provide Computer Science lessons, without the need for mains electricity.
The schools use credit-card sized Raspberry Pi mini computers, from Cambridge University, which have low power consumption and are a designed for the developing world.
More than two-thirds of the population of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is still without electricity, with the figure rising to more than 85% in rural areas.
Writing in a PV Tech Storage blog, Andrew Jones managing director of S&C Electric Europe, said there is strong potential in off-grid solar, but it cannot rely on support from a strong grid, so intermittency problems from cloud, shadows and dust are amplified.
He said: “In addition to providing benefits of smoothing intermittent PV output, energy storage can bring many other benefits such as energy backup, energy arbitrage or energy supply.”
S&C, which claims responsibility for 20% of the world’s in-service battery energy storage capacity, is working with a host of companies to explore energy storage projects across Africa.
Tony Rooney, S&C managing director, said: “By combining energy storage with renewables technologies like solar, communities can now access power without being connected to the grid.”
International Energy Agency figures, quoted in a Whitehouse fact sheet on Obama’s Power Africa programme, show that sub-Saharan Africa will require more than US$300 billion investment to build out the continent’s power generation and transmission systems to achieve universal electricity access by 2030.
PV Tech Storage reported last week that microgrid developer Powerhive recently became the first private utility in Kenya after being granted a licence to sell electricity to the public following the running of pilot schemes in four villages. The Kenyan government recognised that the fastest and least expensive approach to reach 100% electricity access would be to allow private investment in distributed generation infrastructure, according to Zachary Ayieko, managing director, Powerhive East Africa.
The firm has worked on the project in collaboration with Discovery Student Volunteering from Swansea, UK and the Siavonga Nutrition Group from Siavonga, Zambia.
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The technology supplies enough power to the schools to help them to deliver computer science lessons, eliminating the need for mains electricity.
80 Watt solar panels and locally sourced lead acid batteries are being used at the school to power the tiny Raspberry Pi computers, which have been developed by Raspberry Pi Foundation.
The credit card sized computers are plugged into computer monitors or televisions and are attached with standard keyboard and mouse for usage.
S&C Electric Europe managing director Tony Rooney said: "Energy storage has the potential to transform lives by giving people access for the first time to electricity, something most of the world takes for granted.
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"By combining energy storage with renewable technologies like solar, communities can now access power without being connected to the grid."
The Swansea – Siavonga Partnership founder and director Christine Watson said: "The support received from S&C Electric for the solar project within Swansea Siavonga Partnership has been of real benefit to the rural community Siavonga.
"Adding value and sustainable development to the work of the Partnership has a wide and substantial impact on this impoverished area, which we really appreciate."
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Pupils at Shantumbu Combined School in Kafue, Zambia, were previously lacking access to clean and modern restroom facilities and running water. However, with the assistance of the Ngonye Solar Farm, this issue has been resolved.
The school had an urgent need to replace its primitive and unhygienic pit latrines, which posed significant health and safety risks to the students. These outdated facilities not only lacked proper sanitation but also posed dangers to smaller children who could fall into the pit latrines.
The Ngonye Solar Plant, a 34MW facility operated by Enel Green Power, is located nearby in the Lusaka Multi-facility Economic Zone (LSMFEZ) and supplies electricity to the national ZESCO grid.
Local contractor GIEVO Investments used local labor and materials, including stone from a nearby quarry, to construct a modern brick-and-mortar ablution facility for the school, with minimal environmental impact.
The new facility includes separate sections for boys, girls, and teachers, providing privacy, safety, and hygiene. It features toilets, wash basins, and even a shower, which is especially valuable for students without this amenity at home. Additionally, a ramp has been included for students with disabilities.
A borehole was installed to provide clean, running water for flushing toilets and handwashing, and students received training on proper hygiene practices.
The construction of the facility faced challenges due to the school’s rural location, with difficult roads making material delivery challenging. The materials had to be stored securely to prevent theft.
The ablution facility was officially handed over to the school in April 2023, just months after construction began. District Education Board Secretary Belina Moono expressed the significance of having modern restroom facilities and clean water at a school in the rural outskirts of Kafue, Zambia, emphasizing the positive impact on students’ health and dignity.
In summary, the Ngonye Solar Farm, through local efforts and funding, played a crucial role in providing Shantumbu Combined School with much-needed modern restroom facilities and access to clean water, improving the learning environment for students and teachers.
The Rural Electrification Authority (REA) has embarked on a groundbreaking initiative by commencing the construction of bio-digesters in 20 boarding schools across Zambia, allocating K5 million from its K197 million budget for renewable energy projects.
Senior Engineer Civil Planning at REA, John Mwale, announced that two boarding schools in each province will benefit from this renewable energy project. The bio-digesters, designed to promote eco-friendly and cost-effective energy sources in learning institutions, mark a significant step towards sustainable energy practices.
Speaking during a site handover ceremony at Kasisi Girls Secondary School in Lusaka, Mr. Mwale highlighted the positive impact of bio-digesters in schools, emphasizing their role in fostering environmental conservation and providing affordable energy solutions.
Lusaka Province Education Officer, Felix Ngoma, seized the opportunity to encourage the contractor to initiate training sessions for teachers and pupils on the proper operation of the bio-digesters. Mr. Ngoma expressed optimism that this initiative would contribute to cost savings on energy expenses, particularly in meal preparation for the students.
“The implementation of bio-digesters in schools aligns with our commitment to providing sustainable and affordable energy solutions, reducing the reliance on traditional energy sources,” stated Mr. Mwale. The project aims to address both environmental concerns and financial constraints faced by educational institutions.
In response to the news, Kafumbe Mambwe, the Head Teacher of Kasisi Girls Secondary School, expressed gratitude to REA for selecting their institution for this transformative project. Ms. Mambwe emphasized that once the bio-digester is completed, the school will no longer depend on firewood for meal preparation, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.
The REA’s investment in renewable energy projects for educational institutions reflects a broader commitment to fostering sustainable development, reducing carbon footprints, and creating a more energy-efficient future for Zambia. As construction progresses, the initiative is expected to set a precedent for similar environmentally conscious projects in the country.
This is the news we should be excited about as Zambians. Not always politics. These are solutions that we should see get funded even under CDF and i hope many Zambian entrepreneurs can learn this so we do not let foreigners come in and take business away. For me and my family, we installed this at the farm of our parents 10years ago
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