All around the world small PV systems have been installed to provide basic services for communities – emergency phones, lighting for key buildings, battery charging stations, health clinics, etc. – and an unfortunate number of these are no longer operational, are not presently in good condition, or are doomed in the near future particularly because of either poor original design or some kind of neglect.  For example, USAID notes that 37% of PV equipped clinics in Rwanda have solar components that are not functioning, and around the world too many others are dysfunctional for a wide variety of reasons.  Catapult Design uses an approach that can make future systems more robust and user friendly, or for existing sites it is possible to revitalize them and put them back on the right track so that they meet the local requirements.

Some of the problems we see out there are due to poorly specified or installed systems, shoddy parts, lack of component and system documentation, and inadequate maintenance information (particularly for the local cultural situation) – and there is generally a difficult time expanding existing equipment when the need arises.  We are presently assisting The Ihangane Project, who work with several rural health clinics in Rwanda – some of which presently have some solar systems which need expansion and several which need new capabilities.  Our goal is to better understand how they use (or plan to use) electricity, then help them work with potential vendors so that they can create a situation that they are comfortable with and confident in – its not just about providing the technology, its about anticipating the future and working to put a whole tailored infrastructure into place that isn’t going to fail on them when they need it most.

Thanks to Green Empowerment for the Excel tools!