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LUK Solar has Partnered with the VET4Africa project to bring Vocational Education and Training Solar Materials to Uganda

As the cities increasingly adopt a western image, rural villages and small towns are falling behind. Development only takes place where national energy suppliers provide electric power  in the major cities and along the main supply roads. The inhabitants of the villages and small towns, which make up almost 80% of the population, are suffering from the lack of electricity. Due to the lack of electric  infrastructure, no or only minor development takes place here. Due to the lack of electricity,  most of the work can only be carried out manually or not at all. In the houses and huts, expensive fossil fuels like kerosene is used for illumination in the evening hours. Time and again devastating fire accidents happen,  being a threat especially to children. Charging the  mobile phone batteries is  time contemptuous, as the mobile phone charging shops are only accessible over long distances. The government has no plans to expand the electricity grids in these areas in the medium and long term. There is currently little chance of sustainable improvement for the people's living conditions by providing village infrastructure in the future.

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The Solar  Village  Power Center  (SVPC)  is a combination of a central photovoltaic power supply system and at the same time  a social meeting place for the village community. While the photovoltaic system provides electricity for the supply of houses and huts, a rain or sun protected seating area is created under the solar roof. Regional sustainability through  social and economic use.

The Solar Village Power Center contributes significant impulses to sustainable village development. These  are  divided into  three  areas:

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I.           Economic development potential                                                                                The village structure is significantly improved by the  Solar  Village Power Center and the construction of the Minigrids.  The houses and huts are illuminated by the electricity connection at night and domestic work, like homework of the children can be carried out in the evening hours. The charging of the mobile phone battery can take place at home and far walks to the charging shop are no longer necessary. Small craftsmen  use  the electricity for the use of small appliances.

II.          Ecological development potential

The electricity is generated by the solar generator in an environmentally friendly, safe and sustainable manner. The climate at the equator allows a safe and reliable power source all year round. The PV modules are designed as semitransparent glass modules to provide sufficient light below the mounting frame of the PV generator. The generated current is stored in a centrtal battery  system. A sodium ion battery is to be used as a power storage device, which is characterized by its robustness and its environmentally friendly use of materials.

         Comment: Currently, Pico and SHS Solar Home systems are increasingly being used in Uganda. After about 3-4 years, the battery capacities of the small systems are exhausted and have to be replaced. This may mean an increased environmental impact due to non-targeted disposal or feeding of recycling processes. The Solar Village Power Center can avoid this disposal problem. The manufacturer specifies a service life of the salt water battery of minimum 10 years.

III.         Social-cultural development potentials

The installed solar roof of the SVPC looks like a large covered terrace. During the rainy season, the dense roof provides sufficient protection in case of rain and shading during sunshine due to the use of semi-transparent PV modules. Thus, the covered terrace can be available to the village community all year round for social and cultural purposes. The transport container will be converted on site into a Bistro to service the seating area with drinks and small meals. The leasing of the Bistro supports the economic viability of the overall concept.

As the cities increasingly adopt a western image, rural villages and small towns are falling behind. Development only takes place where national energy suppliers provide electric power  in the major cities and along the main supply roads. The inhabitants of the villages and small towns, which make up almost 80% of the population, are suffering from the lack of electricity. Due to the lack of electric  infrastructure, no or only minor development takes place here. Due to the lack of electricity,  most of the work can only be carried out manually or not at all. In the houses and huts, expensive fossil fuels like kerosene is used for illumination in the evening hours. Time and again devastating fire accidents happen,  being a threat especially to children. Charging the  mobile phone batteries is  time contemptuous, as the mobile phone charging shops are only accessible over long distances. The government has no plans to expand the electricity grids in these areas in the medium and long term. There is currently little chance of sustainable improvement for the people's living conditions by providing village infrastructure in the future.

​

The Solar  Village  Power Center  (SVPC)  is a combination of a central photovoltaic power supply system and at the same time  a social meeting place for the village community. While the photovoltaic system provides electricity for the supply of houses and huts, a rain or sun protected seating area is created under the solar roof. Regional sustainability through  social and economic use.

The Solar Village Power Center contributes significant impulses to sustainable village development. These  are  divided into  three  areas:

​

I.           Economic development potential                                                                                The village structure is significantly improved by the  Solar  Village Power Center and the construction of the Minigrids.  The houses and huts are illuminated by the electricity connection at night and domestic work, like homework of the children can be carried out in the evening hours. The charging of the mobile phone battery can take place at home and far walks to the charging shop are no longer necessary. Small craftsmen  use  the electricity for the use of small appliances.

II.          Ecological development potential

The electricity is generated by the solar generator in an environmentally friendly, safe and sustainable manner. The climate at the equator allows a safe and reliable power source all year round. The PV modules are designed as semitransparent glass modules to provide sufficient light below the mounting frame of the PV generator. The generated current is stored in a centrtal battery  system. A sodium ion battery is to be used as a power storage device, which is characterized by its robustness and its environmentally friendly use of materials.

         Comment: Currently, Pico and SHS Solar Home systems are increasingly being used in Uganda. After about 3-4 years, the battery capacities of the small systems are exhausted and have to be replaced. This may mean an increased environmental impact due to non-targeted disposal or feeding of recycling processes. The Solar Village Power Center can avoid this disposal problem. The manufacturer specifies a service life of the salt water battery of minimum 10 years.

III.         Social-cultural development potentials

The installed solar roof of the SVPC looks like a large covered terrace. During the rainy season, the dense roof provides sufficient protection in case of rain and shading during sunshine due to the use of semi-transparent PV modules. Thus, the covered terrace can be available to the village community all year round for social and cultural purposes. The transport container will be converted on site into a Bistro to service the seating area with drinks and small meals. The leasing of the Bistro supports the economic viability of the overall concept.