Jul 16, 2014 - The school has a generator that, prior to the solar system, ran in the evenings from ... .com.au/en_AU/pr
Natusara Primary School Solar Project July 2014
Supplying power for education and establishing on-going cash flow for the purchase of education resources.
www.iitime.org
Natusara Primary School Location: Ono Island, Fiji. Google Maps search: Ono Island Kadavu The school is on Ono Island in the Kadavu group. Three teachers provide classes for 56 students drawn from the island of Dravuni (one hour boat trip) and Buliya (30 minute boat trip). Other than two teachers’ children, all students board at the school’s two boarding houses. They return home for school holidays and twice during the term for weekends (more regular home visits is not possible due to the cost of fuel). Each week two parents from either Dravuni or Buliya are rostered to stay at the school Sunday to Sunday to cook for the boarders – sure takes canteen duty to a whole new level! The school has a generator that, prior to the solar system, ran in the evenings from 6.00 to 9.00 PM to supply teachers’ quarters, night study and for the teachers to do photocopying and other school services requiring electricity. Due to the expense of fuel only occasionally did the generator run in the daytime. Prior to installation of the solar system, the annual fuel cost was approximately FJD3000. Because of their size, small schools like Natusara, have much less capacity to buy diesel and therefore periods of power supply are very limited.
Project photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/itstimefoundation/sets/72157645776608606
Letters from the students: http://iitime.org/new/wp-content/uploads/images/projects/Natusara/letternat.pdf
Project Details 1
The 2350W solar system supplying Natusara Primary School includes premium components to withstand 2 island conditions and deliver the objectives of the project for decades . 3
The design of these systems (AC Coupled ) means, whilst initially more expensive, it is a better performing system and allows for lower cost expansion in the future if required. Although the system significantly exceeds the school’s current demand therefore provisioning growing electronic education needs. The system was installed between 16 and 20th July 2014 and is performing as expected. Major system components include: 10 x Hanwah Q.Cells Q.PRO 235 G2 panels 1 x SMA SB 3000TL grid inverter 1 x SMA SI6.0H remote inverter
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1 x Clenergy roof mounting system
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VIRIBRIGHT LED9 lighting and Clipsal fittings to replace existing tube lighting
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4 x SB1800 PowerStack 12V 600Ah battery banks
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1
The original specification was 1880W but we chose to add an additional two panels to increase the size of the system.
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With the current system settings and power efficiency strategies target battery life is well in excess of 10 years before needing replacement. It is expected the other components will last well in excess of 20 years.
3
http://www.iitime.org/new/accoupling.pdf
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http://www.q-cells.com/uploads/tx_abdownloads/files/Q-Cells_QBASE-G2_Data_sheet_2011-06_Rev02.pdf
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http://www.sma-australia.com.au/en_AU/products/solar-inverters/sunny-boy/sunny-boy-3000tl-4000tl-5000tl-withreactive-power-control.html
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http://www.sma-australia.com.au/en_AU/products/off-grid-inverters/sunny-island-60h-80h.html
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http://www.electusdistribution.com.au/productResults.asp?CATID=Search+all+Categories&keywords=sb1800&keyf orm=KEYWORD&x=0&y=0 8
http://www.clenergy.com.au/mounting-system.php
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http://www.viribright.com.au/
https://www.clipsal.com
LED lighting In the school, dormitories and teachers’ quarters 25 x 600 mm fluorescent tubes were replaced by 5W LED globes. 8 x 1200 mm tubes were replaced by 10W LED globes. 2 x 600 mm tubes were replaced with LED tubes. This strategy has reduced the lighting load by greater than 60%. Therefore significantly enhancing the effectiveness of the solar system, the amount of fuel saved and battery life.
Energy efficiency education Energy usage behaviours by students, staff and their families will influence the effectiveness of the solar system. At the time of installation everyone in the school community was educated about the efficient use of electricity. Posters (see Appendix 2) are installed in all teachers’ quarters, dormitories, the office and all classrooms. The school has signed an agreement committing to energy efficiency at the school (see Appendix 1). They review this commitment monthly at school committee meetings.
Power rationing strategy The system size is selected to give maximum benefit to the school within a reasonable budget. Included in this strategy is rationing power periods to the teachers’ quarters. They now receive much longer periods of power access than before the solar system was installed. Hardwired timers were installed to supply power to the teachers’ quarters and dormitories from 4.00 to midnight every day and all day on weekends. Whether or not the batteries supply power for that full evening period largely depends on 1. the community’s compliance with energy efficiency strategies 2. Weather conditions -- extended cloudy periods may require limited generator use. Power stored in the batteries during the day is supplied at night until the batteries are 40% drawn down (i.e. 60% remaining), at which point the solar system shuts down. If further power is required that evening the generator is used. This strategy is a balance between supplying evening power and extending battery life.
Maintenance This solar system is low maintenance, but provisioning for future needs is emphasised. The school has contributed FJD2000 to a maintenance fund held by Its Time Foundation. These funds are held for future needs of the project. The school will also contribute FJD50 per month into their own maintenance fund that is also preserved for future maintenance requirements of the system. See Appendix 1.
Reporting The school is required to report to Its Time each school term. See Appendix 3 for report content.
Benefits •
The school now has all day power (previously no day time power). Therefore the school now has the opportunity of electronic education.
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Due to reduced fuel consumption the school will save at least FJD2500 per year (assuming approximately 80% reduction in fuel usage). The school has agreed that these savings will be directed to student education resources with a preference for electronic education resources. Included in the above calculation is that teachers will contribute $150 per year the school’s budget for improving electronic education at the school. Note: that is the same as their previous contributions, but they now receive significantly lager periods of electricity access. The school is now shielded from expected increases in fuel prices. Therefore the real financial benefit will increase with time.
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The reduced generator usage will reduce future generator maintenance costs.
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Generators often supply ‘dirty’ power that damages equipment such as computers. The solar system delivers high quality power therefore extending the life of computers and other electronic equipment -- ands indirectly saving money.
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Prior to the solar system teachers did their report writing, photocopying etc. in the evenings when the generator was running. They now have the flexibility to do that work as part of their daytime routine.
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The extended power supply to the teachers’ quarters (4.00 PM to midnight and all day on the weekends) enhances the quality of life for teachers and their families.
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As the schools now have the capacity for electronic education this may create a greater attraction for quality teachers to stay at the school.
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Approximately 2000kgs of carbon dioxide emissions will be abated annually due the replacement of diesel with renewable power.
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We encourage the school to engage students in learning about renewable energy and climate change. With the hope that the presence of the solar system will result in more environmentally aware and proactive school leavers.
Funding The project was generously funded by the FIJI Water Foundation
Project partners The generous support of our equipment and service sponsors allowed donated funds to be spent approximately twice over. Direct supporters who supply equipment or services at favourable pricing (some free of charge) include: Solar panels:
Hanwah Q.Cells
Mountings:
Clenergy
Batteries:
Tech Brands
LED Lighting:
VIRIBRIGHT
Electrical materials:
Clipsal and Schneider Electric
International freight:
Mainfreight
Installation:
CBS Power Solutions
For other general supporters of Its Time Foundation: http://iitime.org/supporters/ See http://iitime.org/ for general information about Its Time Foundation
Thank you FIJI Water Foundation for enhancing the lives of a generation of children at Natusara.
Rob Edwards Founder Its Time Foundation +61 413 734 916 +61 2 8003 4143
[email protected]
Appendix 1: Agreement text (the signed agreement is laminated and displayed in the school office)
Agreement for the acceptance a school solar system by Natusara Primary School These guidelines insure that the solar system provides the greatest possible benefit for the longest possible time to Natusara Primary School. In accepting the solar system the school management committee agrees to comply with the following: 1. This agreement will be a recurring agenda item at school management committee meetings where compliance to the below points is confirmed. 2. The school accepts that, while Fiji Water is generously funding the project, Fiji Water has no ongoing or other obligations to the school. 3. In advance of the system being installed the school will contribute FJD2000. This will be retained by Its Time Foundation for future maintenance of the system. 4. The school will create a new “Maintenance Account” (held by the school) and deposit FJD50 per month from the money saved on fuel. That will gain interest and be available for future maintenance needs of the solar system. 5. Other than the maintenance provision, all money the school saves due to reduced need for generator fuel will be spent only on education resources for the use of students. We encourage expenditure on computers and other resources to advance electronic education. These savings are not for expenditure on administrative items or equipment for teachers’ personal use. Each term the school committee will discuss how the money will be used to advance education at the school. 6. October 2013 is was reported that teachers pay $150 per year to the school budget and the teachers receive power at no other cost to them. This is to be maintained and, as per Item 5, the money directed to children’s education. 7. The school and teachers’ quarters will adopt a strong energy efficiency policy to minimise the amount of electricity used. This will reduce the need to use the generator to supplement the solar system. Remember: the solar system only provides a limited amount of power! The committee will assign a responsible person to report to each committee meeting about how well the energy efficiency policy is being applied in the school and the teacher’s quarters. The energy efficiency policy will include all points listed on the posters erected at the school (see sample attached) 8. Any new teacher’s quarters or school buildings built in the future will be fitted with LED globes. 9. Where appropriate take opportunities to teach students about climate change and renewable energy. 10.If possible support attempts by Its Time Foundation to establish communication between an Australian school and NPS to gain mutual benefits from sharing learning experiences. 11.Supply a “Term Report” (see attached) at the beginning or end of each school term. This includes sending a file from the solar inverter (instructions and a card reader will be provided). The information is emailed or posted to Its Time Foundation. 12.This agreement is clearly posted in the school office.
Please note: Supply of the solar system requires the above conditions to be met. The school agrees that should the conditions not be complied with the solar system will be withdrawn and provided to another school.
Appendix 2. Posters in classrooms, office and teachers’ quarters
Appendix 3.
Term report supplied to Its Time Foundation at the start of each school term.
Solar System Report To Its Time Foundation
At the first school committee meeting of each term save a copy of this document and complete the questions. Email it to
[email protected] or mail to PO Box 1003 Wollongong DC NSW Australia If possible complete this document using the Word template provided on the USB drive; otherwise a hard copy is fine. Include also the card report downloaded from the inverter (see next page for details). Report for school term: 1 or 2 or 3 Date of report:
Is the agreement between Natusara Primary and Its Time Foundation confirmed each committee meeting? Yes or No
How is the solar system benefiting the school:
Is the money saved on generator fuel being spent on education resources for students? Yes or No What items have been purchased or are being planned for purchase:
Describe how often the generator is now being used:
How much per month is the current cost of generator fuel? FJD
Is the school is depositing FJD50 per month to the “Maintenance Account”? Yes or No The current balance is:
Are teacher’s each contributing FJD150/year to the school budget? Yes or No How much was that last term? FJD Does a responsible person to report to each committee meeting about how well the energy efficiency policy is being applied in the school and the teacher’s quarters? Yes or No Energy efficiency posters are displayed in the office, classrooms and teacher’s quarters. Yes or No Are all equipment and lights turned off when not being used? Yes or No Computers and screen preferences to be set to maximum energy saving. Yes or No Photocopying, scanning, printing, power tools used in the daytime where possible. Yes or No Where possible do washing machines and other power activities between 11 AM and 1 PM on weekends. Yes or No Is only a minimum of corridor lighting being used? Yes or No How many lights were replaced last term? Were the replacements LEDs? Yes or No What new electrical appliances have been added to the school and teachers’ quarters: How do the teachers feel about the current power supply to the teachers’ quarters: Have there been opportunities for the school to teach students about climate change and renewable energy? Thanks, Rob Edwards, Founder, Its Time Foundation, +61 2 8003 4143, +61 2 413 734 916,
[email protected] 