Recent projects

These are presented in our new Reporting Hub showing project details, data and plenty of smiling kids. For projects prior to 2022 scroll below the video (these will soon be added to the Hub)

Naiviivi Primary

Beqa Yanuca Secondary

Malolo District School

Ratu Lalabalavu Secondary

Rakua Raviravi Primary

Sawau District School

Uluinakorovatu Primary

Yanuca Island School

Buakonikai Primary

 

Projects prior to 2023:

Please note, the below projects are progressively being added to the new reporting hub like the above school links.

 

South Taveuni High and Primary Schools

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Videos
Plastics

Location: South Taveuni, Taveuni Island, Fiji. Search Google maps: “South Taveuni  Fiji” – the schools are just past the road junction, south of Paradise Taveuni resort. Please note the map is quite old, it’s before Tropical Cyclone Winston devastated the school and much was rebuilt and expanded, see here.

820 students are taught by 45 teachers across the two schools. Including a primary special education class.

We installed a 6000W system in 2015 to supply the, then smaller, high school (thank you then for the support of Fiji Water). The batteries were damaged by cyclone Winston in 2016 and while the system continued to give service it was not meeting our expectations.  So, in November 2022 we increased the system size and added new state of the art equipment.

Thanks to the lead financial sponsor, Clenergy, and a range of supporters the system is now supplying 24hr power for both schools.

Together the two schools will save approximately AUD17,000 per year – and that is a significant on-going contribution to their capacity to buy resources such as computers for the schools.

This 15,000W system installed November 2022 includes: 18 x Yingli 250W and 27 x 380W Canadian Solar panels, 1 x Outback Flex Power Three inverter set, 4 x Outback chargers, 12 x Simpliphi PHI3.8kwh Lithium batteries in a BOSS12 cabinet, 1 x Clenergy ground mounting system and 1 x Clenergy roof mount system. In addition to general electrical works, three school buildings were fully wired.

The system has capacity to power the school, but if needed on occasions the back up generator will top up the batteries. We expect little requirement of this, particularly with the schools’ commitment to a proactive approach to energy conservation. The school has 21 teachers’ homes in the school precinct that were not included in the scope of works – full wiring and additional solar capacity are being considered as a future project.

Thank you Clenergy, our lead sponsor for the project, and our other business partners and supporters. Also, as usual our thanks to CBS Power Solutions for partnering with us in the installation.

Ratu Apenisa Memorial School

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Plastics & Climate Change

Location: Soso Village, Naviti Island, Fiji. Search Google maps: “Soso Naviti Island”   The school is to the east of the village, near the playing field.

97 students, 5 teachers, taught by 6 teachers.

You will notice in the images and videos one new concrete school buildings. This was constructed after a major cyclone destroyed the old building that was in that position.  It was completed only very recently, well after our originals school survey (COVID delayed this project by approximately two years). Please see this video explaining the movement of our original installation from ground mount to roof mount on the new strong building.

The school has a small generator that supplies up to 1-2 hours per day to the school during the day and when needed the evenings for night study. The project will divert over $4,500 per year from generator fuel and costs to transport the fuel (approx. 30% of the total cost) into education equipment and resources.

Please note, without the solar system those fuel costs were due to rise because 1. the increasing price of fuel; 2. the school was planning to expand their generator use when they acquired computers for the students.

This 5000W system includes: 18 x Yingli 275W panels, 1 x Outback FLEXpower Two inverter/chargers, 5 x Simpliphi PHI3.8 lithium batteries, 1 x  Clenergy PV-exRACK roof mount system and various electrical works.

The school has committed to spend 20 minutes each week picking up plastics – less waste and great learning for the kids. Please note in the videos (link above) there are also some comments about local impacts of climate change.

Lead funding was from the Rotary clubs of Sydney Cove, Ku-ring-gai and Augsburg-Fuggerstadt – with additional funding from our valued supporters please visit: supporters The school and the whole community send a big Vinaka Vakalevu – thank you. The project was installed August 2022.

As usual our thanks goes to CBS Power Solutions for partnering with us in the installation.

Gunu Primary

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Plastics & Climate Change

Location: Gunu Village, Naviti Island, Fiji. Search Google maps: “Gunu Naviti Island”   See the blue roofed buildings bottom left near playing field.

The school has 135 students taught by 6 teachers.  You will notice in the images and videos impressive concrete school buildings. These were constructed after Cyclone Winston destroyed most of the old wooden school in 2016. So, it was extra appreciated by the community that they now have reliable power in the new buildings.

The school has a small generator that supplies up to 1-3 hours per day to the school during the day and some power in the evenings for night study. The project will divert over $4,000 per year from generator fuel into education equipment and resources. Plus, significant further savings to the school because the school’s contribution the outboard boat’s hire and fuel cost, to bring the generator fuel from Lautoka, is no longer required.

It is notable that, without the solar system, those fuel costs would continue to rise with the increasing price of fuel and because of the pressure the school has on itself to move toward computers being used more.

This 6000W system includes: 16 x Canadian Solar 380W panels, 1 x Outback FLEXpower Two inverter/chargers, 6 x Simpliphi PHI3.8 lithium batteries, 1 x  Clenergy Solar Terrace II ground mount system and various electrical works.

The school has committed to spend 20 minutes each week picking up plastics – less waste and great learning for the kids. Please note in the videos (link above) there are also some comments about local impacts of climate change.

The project was funded by The Australian Government – International Climate Change Engagement Program to whom the kids at the school and the whole community send a big Vinaka Vakalevu – thank you. The project was installed August 2022.

As usual our thanks goes to CBS Power Solutions for partnering with us in the installation – and we acknowledge their leadership toward women’s empowerment as they are now actively employing women in the engineering team. We acknowledge, with much on-going thanks, our valued supporters please visit: supporters

Banaban School Rabi

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Plastics & Climate Change

Location: Nuku Village, Rabi Island, Fiji. Search Google maps: “Nuku Rabi Island”   Google maps is not very clear on that area, but the school is due south (across the road) from the bottom corner of the large playing field.

416 students taught by 14 teachers and 2 support staff.

The school has a reasonably efficient generator that they have been running for several hours per day and during exams periods for night study. The solar project is now diverting over $8000 per year from generator fuel to education resources. That saving is not including  generators failing and needing costly replacement or repairs  – due to the hard conditions and cyclones (you will notice in a video, above, two failed generators still on site). The staff and Head Teacher Master Fiafia are keenly focused on building the schools’ capacity to deliver a modern education with electronic resources – that on-going cash flow from fuel savings significantly enables that vision. 

This 6000W system includes: 16 x Canadian Solar 380W panels, 1 x Outback FLEXpower Two inverter/chargers, 6 x Simpliphi PHI3.8 lithium batteries, 1 x  Clenergy Solar Terrace II ground mount system and various electrical works.

The school has committed to spend 20 minutes each week picking up plastics – less waste and great learning for the kids. The school has also taken on other clean up and village beautification projects including converting old bins and tyres in to planter pots. Please note in the videos (link above) there are also some comments about local impacts of climate change.

Lead funding was seven shareholders from CWP Global lead by Michael Vawser (thanks Ed, Alex, Kam, Mark, Mike, Dimitar and Helen).  Thanks to all our supporters The students, teachers, school management committee and the whole community send a big Vinaka Vakalevu – thank you. The project was installed June 2022.

Somolevu Catholic School

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Plastics & Climate Change

Location: Vuake Village, Matacawalevu Island, Fiji. Search Google maps: “Vuake, Matacawalevu”   The school is to most northern buildings.

98 students, taught by 5 teachers. 20 students from nearby islands board at the school during the week.

This was a very difficult site, with the land sloping significantly away from the school. That made a ground mounted system not possible (without using prime school traffic space). So the panels are installed on the roof of a solid new building (in images) and, whilst not facing an ideal northerly direction, are generating very effectively and the generator remains silent.

The school has a portable generator that was supplying needs based power and costing the school between $4000 to $5000 per year (including cost of transport from Lautoka).  Those savings will now be diverted to education resources. That is particularly valuable now that school has recently received reliable internet access.

Please note, without the solar system those fuel costs will only continue to rise because 1. the increasing price of fuel; 2. the school needing more power to be able to have modern education facilities.

This 5000W system includes: 15 x Canadian Solar 335W panels, 1 x Outback FLEXpower Two inverter/chargers, 4 x Simpliphi PHI3.8 lithium batteries, 1 x  Clenergy PV-ezRACK roof mount system and various electrical works.

The school has committed to spend 20 minutes each week picking up plastics – less waste and great learning for the kids. Please note in the videos (link above) there are also some comments about local impacts of climate change.

Lead funding and thanks to our long time supporter the Fiji Water Foundation – with additional funding from our valued supporters please visit: supporters As usual our thanks goes to CBS Power Solutions for partnering with us in the installation. The students, teachers, school management committee and the whole community send a big Vinaka Vakalevu – thank you. The project was installed February 2022.

Location: Navakawau Village, Taveuni, Fiji
Search Google maps: “Taveuni Island Fiji”   See the end of the road at the most southern part of the island – the school and teachers’ quarters are the cluster of buildings north of the village.

The school has 165 students, 9 teachers, 8 teachers’ quarters.  The school sustained significant cyclone damage and much of the school has been rebuilt repaired with very strong replacements – completed mid 2019.

The school has a small generator that supplies up to 3 hours per day to the school office and some class rooms that have wiring, plus limited evening power to the teachers quarters. The project will divert over $4,000 per year from generator fuel into education equipment and resources.

This 3300W system includes: 12 x YingLi solar 275W panels, Outback FLEXpower One inverter/charger, 6 x Simpliphi PHI2.7 lithium batteries, 1 x  Clenergy Solar Terrace II ground mounting system. Works included electrical wiring of 8 classrooms, library converted with extra power points to double as a computer room, 2 offices and staff room.

School has committed to spend 20 minutes each week picking up plastics – less waste and great learning for the kids.

The project was funded by Balwyn Rotary to whom the kids at the school send a big vinaka – thank you. The project was installed Nov./Dec. 2019.

As usual our thanks goes to CBS Power Solutions for partnering with us in the installation. We acknowledge with great thanks our equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

Vuna Primary School

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Images cyclone Winston at Vuna

Location: Vuna Village, Taveuni, Fiji
Search Google maps: “Taveuni Island Fiji”  Go to most westerly point of the island zoom in to see Vuna Lagoon Lodge, the school and teachers’ quarters are the south easterly buildings around large playing field.

The school has 171 students, 10 teachers and 9 teachers’ quarters. Much of the school was destroyed in the 2016 cyclone Winston and rebuild is now complete.   The teachers’ quarters are wired and the school has a good, but expensive to run, generator that supplies 2 to 4 hours day time power and 4 hours evening power for the teachers’ and night study.

This 5775W system includes: 21 x YingLi solar 275W panels, Outback FLEXpower Two inverter/charger, 12 x Simpliphi PHI2.7 lithium batteries, 1 x  Clenergy roof mounting system.  The new building was highly robust and considering it’s orientation we decided to use a roof mounted system (usually ground mounted).

Works included electrical wiring of several classrooms and also projects required considerable wiring to bring the system in to line with the recently installed three phase wiring to the main buildings and teachers’ quarters.  The solar system will supply to the teachers quarters, so 4 amp breakers to all quarters to limit appliance size they use to less than 960W – hence fair use of the new shared benefit of 24 hour power.  The project will divert FJD12,000 per year from generator fuel into education equipment and resources.

School has committed to spend 20 minutes each week picking up plastics – less waste and great learning for the kids.

The project lead sponsors were Australian Aid and Fiji Water Foundation.  Additional funding or in kind from Rotary Clubs of Ku-ring-gai, Corrimal, Kadinia, Taveuni and Platinum Cables.  The kids at the school send a big vinaka – thank you.

As usual our thanks goes to CBS Power Solutions for partnering with us in the installation. We acknowledge with great thanks our equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

The project was installed Nov./Dec. 2019.

Ratu Meli Primary and Yasawa North High Schools

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The kids and plastics

Location: Nacula Village, Nacula Island, Fiji
Search Google maps: Google maps: “Nacula village, Fiji”.  Bottom left, out of the village.

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The school is made up of 55 high school students and 128 primary students.  50 of the students from nearby areas board at the school in 3 dormitories.

There were 9 teachers quarters in the school precinct.

The school had a poor quality, under powered solar system installed 11 years ago that did not meet the schools needs and failed in 2015 and is not repairable. And only two school rooms had been wired. They relied on limited use of a portable generator (currently broken down).

Works included electrical wiring of the school – 16 rooms, 3 dormitories and dining room and re-wiring of the 9 teachers quarters. LED tube lighting was installed in all buildings. The wiring was a significant component of the project, if all the wire used was placed end to end it would be more than four kilometers. In total the project required more than 40 man days of work.

This 5500W system includes: 20 x YingLi solar panels, Outback FLEXpower Two inverter/charger, 12 x Simpliphi PHI2.7 lithium batteries, 1 x  Clenergy ground mounting system. And as usual our many thanks goes to CBS Power Solution for partnering with us in the installation.

The project was funded by many donors including Fiji Water Foundation, Rotary clubs of Lindfield, Ku-ring-gai, Inverloch and Corrimal, Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, Good Travel, Ruth Donoghue and friends and many individual sponsors to whom the kids at the school send a big vinaka – thank you. The project was installed March. 2019.

We acknowledge with great thanks our equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

Navotua Infants/Primary School

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The kids and plastics

Location: Navotua Village, Nacula Island, Fiji
Search Google maps: Google maps: “Navotua Fiji”. It is the buildings on he west edge of the village.

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It is a small school with 20 students and just 2 teachers living in quarters in the school precinct. The buildings are relatively new and had good quality wiring. It relied on short periods of generator power that costs the school over $2000 per year – a considerable percentage of their budget.

This school would not normally be a target, but we were approached by the school while installing the above project at Ratu Meli / Yasawa North – approximate 20 minutes outboard trip away. We quickly identified we could salvage some good condition panels from a nearby otherwise low quality and failed solar system. And considering we had the manpower and surplus cable, conduit etc. and we could configure some roof mounts (clever work CBS), we quickly arranged for an inverter and set of batteries to be sent up to us and we installed the project.

This 1080W system will be adequate to supply the school’s daily needs and power to the teachers’ quarters. As with all schools they need to be efficient with using power and the system will service their needs well. This project did not use equipment from our supporting equipment sponsors. The project was funded by the Fiji Water Foundation.

The project was installed March. 2019.

 

Rabi High School

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Location: Rabi Island, Fiji
Search Google maps: Rabi Island, Fiji  Zoom to most westerly tip of the island.  The school is the cluster of buildings approx. 1 km due East.  The smaller buildings are the teachers’ quarters and dorms.

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Rabi High has 207 students in 2018. 40 are from nearby islands and board in the two dormatories.

21 teachers are providing classes from years 9 to 13.  12 teachers’ quarters are in the school precinct.

The school has two diesel generators.  One still awaiting repair and this one: check out this clip of the old thing starting up .  Repair costs since 2015 exceeded $10,000.   Fuel and transport of the fuel is costing the school approximately $11,000 per year for 6 hours day power and 3 hours in the night for the teachers.  Currently the new solar is fulfilling all those needs with 24 hour uninterrupted power. Those fuel savings, repair costs and teachers happy to pay $90 per term for their now 24 hour power translates into many laptops and other electronic resources for the school.

This 6240W system includes: 24 x YingLi 275 solar panels, 1 x SB5000 inverter, 1 x SI8.0 inverter, 8 x Simpliphi PHI3.4 batteries, 1 x new Clenergy ground mounting system. Most tube lighting removed and replaced with LED tubes in the teachers quarters and some class rooms.  The main class rooms used for night study had recently globe holders installed to replace the tubes (a recommendation we had put to the Ministry in 2016).  We did not have LED globes with us, so the school is buying the globes from the fuel savings.

The project was funded by the Fiji Water Foundation. The project was installed Feb. 2018.

For all equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

 

Tabiang Primary School

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Location: Rabi Island, Fiji
Search Google maps: Rabi Island, Fiji  Zoom to most westerly tip of the island.  The school is the cluster of buildings closest to the point.

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Tabiang has 117 students in 2018. 5 teachers are providing classes from years K to 8.

2 teachers’ quarters are in the school precinct.

The school has a diesel generator that failed and at the time of installation they were hiring one for $50 per day and running it for an average of two hours per day and on a needs basis in the evening for the teachers to get their work done.

The savings on fuel and transport costs is approximately $3000 per year. That will be used to promote computer learning at the school.

This 2000W system includes: 12 x BP solar panels (relocated from the 10 year old Rabi High system that was the original Its Time pilot project), 1 x Outback Flex 1 Inverter and Controller, 12kwh Simpliphi Lithium batteries, 1 x new Clenergy ground mounting system. Most tube lighting removed and replaced with LED tubes. The kindergarten and one teachers quarters were fully wired, other teachers quarters wiring repaired, extensive rewiring of the school building that had particularly dangerous wiring.

The project was funded by multiple sponsors. The project was installed Feb. 2018 – but was the redeployment of our original 2008 pilot project.  New panels were installed 2024.

For all equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

 

Ucunivatu Primary School

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Location: Vanua Levu Island, Fiji
Search Google maps: Dolphin Bay Divers, Fiji.  2.5 km due west is the large bay, slightly west of due north in the bay you will see a cluster of buildings that are the school and 4 teachers’ quarters.

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Ucunivatu has 49 students in 2018.

The school is only accessible by water.  Supplies are from Taveuni and each boat trip costs approximately $60 fuel.

4 teachers are providing classes from years K to 8.  4 teachers’ quarters are in the school precinct.

The school had a 15 year old, under powered and low quality, solar system that had failed.  Often the school has no power at all and was giving consideration to buying a new diesel generator.

Had they gone down the generator path we guess annual fuel costs would have exceeded $4000 per year plus significant transport costs to get the fuel to the school.  That plus the teachers happy to pay $90 per term for their now 24 hour power translates into a considerable increase in electronic resources for the school for the coming decades.

This 3120W system includes: 12 x YingLi 275 solar panels, 1 x SB3000 inverter, 1 x SB6.0 inverter, 19kwh Simpliphi Lithium batteries, 1 x new Clenergy ground mounting system. All existing lighting was removed and replaced with LED tubes in the teachers quarters and class rooms.  The teachers’ quarters were rewired as was most fo the school.

The project was funded by the Fiji Water Foundation. The project was installed Feb. 2018.

For all equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

 

Bouma District School

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Location: Taveuni Island, Fiji
Search Google maps: Bouma Taveuni, Fiji

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Bouma has 157 students in 2015. 9 teachers are providing classes from years 1 to 8.

8 teachers’ quarters are in the school precinct.

The school has a diesel generator that ran for an average of two hours per day and on a needs basis in the evening for the teachers to get their work done. Because of the lack of wiring, the generator did not supply any power to the teachers’ quarters. Instead teachers use their own small generators or kerosene lanterns or battery lamps.

This 3000W system includes: 12 x Yingli 275 solar panels, 1 x SMA SB3000TL grid Inverter, 1 x SMA SI4.4M remote inverter, 22kwh Simpliphi Lithium batteries, 1 x Clenergy ground mounting system. All tube lighting removed and replaced with LED globes. New electrical wiring installed in 8 teachers quarters and repair work carried out in several classrooms.

The project was funded by Mr Peter Bickerton, the Rotary Clubs of Lindfield, Ku-Ring-Gai, Roseville Chase and Taveuni (Fiji) and the Edwards family. The project was installed between Dec. 2015 and Feb. 2016.

For all equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

 

St Paul’s Primary School

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Location: Naviavia, Venua Levu, Fiji
Search Google maps: Naviavia, Northern Division, Fiji

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At St Paul’s 5 teachers are providing classes for 99 students. 5 teachers’ quarters are on the school grounds. A dormitory houses 32 students from villages in the region.

The teachers’ quarters had no power supplied from the school. They used their own small generators using makeshift and unsafe wiring and they supplement with kerosene lanterns. The other two quarters only had kerosene lanterns. The dormitory also used kerosene lanterns.

Prior to solar the school generator ran for an average of 2 hours during or after school each day when the teachers did photocopying, charged laptops etc. Recently they had also increased night use by running multiple extension cords to the quarters (certainly a less than safe practice particularly in rainy periods). Considering fuel consumption at the time of installation the estimated annual fuel saving is approximately $3000 per year.

The school recently received 5 new desktop computers and 20 XO laptops — all available for 24 hour power in 2016.

This 3000W system installed October 2015 includes: 12 x Yingli 275 solar panels, 1 x SMA SB3000TL grid Inverter, 1 x SMA SI4.4M remote inverter, 6 x Aquion S20P batteries, 1 x Clenergy ground mounting system. Most tube lighting removed and replaced with LED globes. 4 teachers’ quarters and the dormitory had new wiring installed. The fifth quarter was unoccupied awaiting refurbishment, wiring will be included at that time. The school office was also wired.

The project was funded by the Fiji Water Foundation. The project was completed Oct. 2015.

For all equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

 

Dawara Primary School

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Location: Dawara, Vanua Levu, Fiji
Search Google maps: Dawara Fiji

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50 students and 4 teachers providing classes from Year 1 to 8. 4 good condition teachers’ quarters are on the school grounds.

The school has a disproportionately large generator that runs on a needs basis during the daytime and 2 hours each night supplying teachers’ quarters.

Fuel, kerosene and transport of the fuel saved will exceed $3500 per year. The teachers are excited about what new equipment this opportunity will bring to the school.

This 2500W system installed October 2015 includes: 10 x Yingli 275 solar panels, 1 x SMA SB3000TL grid Inverter, 1 x SMA SI4.4M remote inverter, 4 x Aquion S20P batteries, 1 x Clenergy ground mounting system. Most tube lighting removed and replaced with LED globes. Some general electrical repairs were conducted.

The project was funded by the Fiji Water Foundation. The project was completed Oct. 2015.

For all equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

 

Yasayasa Moala College and Naroi District School

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Location: Moala Island , Fiji
Search Google maps: Moala Island Fiji

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This is a single project supplying both Yasayasa Moala College (High School) and Naroi District School. Yasayasa Moala College has 106 students and 15 teachers providing classes from Year 9 to12 and a vocational class for carpentry and joinery. Naroi District School has 97 students and 5 teachers providing classes from Kindergarten to Year 8.

There are a total of 15 teachers’ quarters at the school. 3 dormitories house 50 students from Vunuku, Nasoki, Keteira, Cakova, Maloku, Nuku and Vadra.

The school and teachers’ quarters were receiving power from the school generator from 6 pm to10 pm daily. Daytime power was limited to 4 hours per day for only 3 to 4 days per week.

Because the system was installed after the school term it will not be until March 2016 that can deliver a more confident response about performance and savings. Although we expect the system to supply majority or all of power needs and produce a saving in excess of $9,000 per year.

This 6000W system installed December 2015 includes: 24 x Yingli 250W panels, 1 x SMA SB5000TL grid Inverter, 1 x SMA SI5048 remote inverter, 12 x Aquion S20P batteries, 1 x Clenergy ground mounting system. Installed electrical wiring in the administration building, library, 1 teachers’ quarters, dormitories, dining room and cooking room.

The project was funded by the Fiji Water Foundation. The project was completed Dec. 2015.

For all equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

 

Salia Levu Primary School

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Location: Taveuni Island, Fiji
Search Google maps: Navakawau Taveuni

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Salia Levu has 37 students. 3 teachers provide classes from years 1 to 8. 3 teachers’ quarters are in the school precinct.

The school has a small diesel generator that would run during school days on a needs basis. It also runs for an average of three hours in the evenings to supply the teachers’ quarters. Otherwise and when fuel is low the teachers use kerosene lanterns.

The savings on fuel, kerosene and transport costs is approximately $3200 per year that will be used to promote computer learning at the school. At the time of installation the school received 17 electronic tablets.

System components: 8 x 250W Yingli solar panels, SB3000TL and SI3.3 SMA inverters, 4 x Aquion Energy S30 battery stacks (replaced in 2023 by 19kwh Simpliphi Lithium batteries), Clenergy Solar Terrace III ground mountings.

The project was funded by the Rotary Club of Taveuni, the Middendorp Foundation, the Whitelaw family, PREVIOUSNEXT and a range of other donors in 2015 — you know who you are and the kids say thank you. The project was completed Nov. 2015.

For all equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

 

Wainimakutu High and Primary School.

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Click for pictures Prime Minister opening.
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Location: Viti Levu.
Google Maps search: Wainimakatu, Fiji (note it’s spelt differently on Google, in Earth view scroll NW about 1 km and the school is beside the road)

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Fourteen teachers provide classes for 140 students from Year 8 to 12 in the high school and 5 teachers provide classes for 80 students in the primary school. The school draws students from the surrounding district, many walk long distances each day to get to school. Up to 40 students board at the school’s two dormitories. Eighteen teachers quarters are located in the school compound (three of those are currently under construction).

This community is even lower income than many we see, so the school generator is carefully limited to three or four hours per week in the daytime, that includes supply to the computer classes that began in 2013. The generator also runs for three to four hours each evening for night study and to supply the teachers’ quarters.

In 2012 the school installed five computers and commenced computer classes for senior years. Whilst a major milestone in the schools’ development, these classes were limited to daytime generator availability and evenings.

The all day power from the solar system will make a major difference at Wainimakutu — they will immediately expand their computer classes which are particularly important for senior secondary students.

Estimated savings that will be devoted to education is $9000 per year.

System components: 20 x 235W Q CELLS solar panels, SB5000 and SI8.0H SMA Inverters, 4 x SB1802 1350Ah PowerStack battery banks, Clenergy Solar Terrace II ground mountings.

Thanks to primary funding by the FIJI Water Foundation and support from our equipment and service sponsors the project was completed on the 26th of September 2013.

For all equipment and service supporters please visit: supporters

Namamanuca Primary School

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Location: Yanuya Island, Fiji.
Google Maps search: Yanuya Island (the school is the red roofed buildings)

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Seven teachers provide classes for 141 students from Year 1 to 8. The school draws students from the village and nearby islands. 25 students board at the school’s two dormitories during the week. Seven teachers quarters are located in the school compound.

The school generator delivers a couple of hours power during the day on a needs basis — like most schools that means turning the generator for carefully monitored period so as to keep cost to a minimum. The generator run for an average of four hours each evening to supply power to the teachers quarters and boarding houses. Otherwise the teachers and boarders use kerosene lamps for lighting.

There were all sorts of ways we raised money for projects, usually a major event or a sponsor is the primary contributor. Not in this case and it is very special because the contributions are so diverse. They include donation boxes at Denarau Marina Fiji, Lulus Cafe Fiji, Eastie Beach Cafe Corrimal and Budget Pharmacy Fiji, the crazy principal at Mt Austin school who raffles herself each month to cover another teacher’s class, Tokoriki Resort guests, the group of people making regular donations, Michael’s winnings from a poker game, the walk-a-thon mob, TGA happy hour, Claremont College kids, Greens Rugby Club grand final bash, instead of flowers at Marie’s funeral and all the others who have contributed — you know who you are.

A special thank you to Tokoriki Island Resort (http://www.tokoriki.com/). On the day of opening this project, the owner of Tokoriki pledged to add dollar for dollar to the school’s fuel savings

System components: 4600W solar panel array, SB5000 and SI6.0H SMA Inverters, 4 x SB1800 600Ah PowerStack battery banks, Clenergy Solar Terrace II ground mountings, VIRIBRIGHT LEDs.

Natusara Primary School

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Location: Ono Island, Fiji.
Google Maps search: Ono Island Kadavu

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The school is on Ono Island in the Kadavu group. Five teachers provides classes for 56 students. The school draws students from the nearby islands and villages. Most students board at the school’s two boarding houses. There are five teachers quarters housing the teachers and their families.

The school has a generator that runs in the evenings from 6 to 9 PM to supply teachers quarters, night study and for the teachers to do photocopying and other services requiring electricity.

System components: 10 x QCELLS 235W Solar Panels, SB3000 and SI6.0H SMA Inverters, 4 x SB1800 600Ah PowerStack battery banks (replaced in 2023 by 19kwh Simpliphi Lithium batteries), Clenergy roof mounting system, VIRIBRIGHT LEDs.

 

Lavena Primary School

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Location: Island of Taveuni.
Google Maps search: Lavena, Northern Division, Fiji

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Five teachers provide classes for 106 students from Year 1 to 8. The school draws students from the local village. Four teachers quarters are located in the school compound. The school generator is used for very limited periods during the day for school office needs. The school does not have computers for student use — this solar system will create the opportunity for the school to step into the age of computer education; due both to the access to plentiful power and the money saved to buy computers.

The generator runs for four hours each night to supply power to the teachers’ quarters and to the school for night study.

System components: 12 x 235W Q CELLS solar panels, SB3000 and SI6.0H SMA Inverters, 4 x SB1800 600Ah PowerStack battery banks (replaced in 2023 by 22kwh Simpliphi Lithium batteries), Clenergy roof mounting system.

Please note: the above old technology battery set, after nearly 10 years, came to end of life and in July 2023 was replaced by new Simpliphi Lithium batteries.  Full specifications and pictures will be uploaded to the new reporting hub soon.

Unfortunately the wiring at the school was incomplete and unsafe so we are rewiring the school and teachers’ quarters.

The school was seriously impacted by tropical cyclone Winston 2016 and the roof was blown off and panels destroyed (this was one of the few roof mount system we have installed). A stronger building followed and we installed new panels 2017 to restore the system.

The above mentioned old technology batteries, after nearly 10 years, came to end of life and were replaced by Simpliphi Lithium batteries in July 2023. Please note: full specifications and images will be uploaded to the new reporting hub soon.

Savings on fuel and travel to get the fuel is approximately $3400 per year.

Thanks to the primary funding support of Rotary Club of Templestowe, The Rotary Club of Manningham, Deakin University Global Citizenship Program, Art Building Children’s Dreams (Australia); and our equipment sponsors, the project was completed 15 October 2013.

Kioa Island Primary

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Location: North Eastern Fijian Islands
Google maps search: Kioa Island
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Kioa Island Primary School has five teachers providing classes for 106 students from kindergarten to year 8. After year 8 the students either finish school or they board on the larger island of Taveuni to continue their education.

Before the solar system the school’s highly valued electrical equipment included three computers, one printer, a photocopier, PA system and laminator. Limited daytime power to the school was supplied by a small old generator or another larger one that often required costly repair. The school has night power supplied by the village generator that runs for three to four hours in the evenings. Therefore power storage need (batteries) is less than is other schools who need power for night study and/or teachers quarters.

The school now has a 1400W solar system (8 Silex panels, 6 Powerstack batteries, 2 SMA inverters supported by high wind resistant Clenergy mounting systems). That exceeds the schools current needs and will cater well for significant growth in the school’s power demand.

We predict that their new solar system will deliver a fuel saving that increases teaching resources by approximately $2000 per year.

A laptop and camera were provided for both learning and to help students share their learning experiences with overseas schools. Also, a data projector so the computing experience can be shared by a whole class. The projector will also be used to show movies once a week for villagers and create an additional small cash flow for the school to pay for their internet usage. Thanks to the generous support of two Australian schools they have large supply of movies.

Since the solar system was installed the school has now gained six new computers and 17 tablets and computer classes have started. A teachers put one computer aside and every student in the two older classes unpacked the computer from the box; set it up; opened applications; shut it down and repacked it. That was so all students are familiar with these basics — so important as many of these kids have not touched a keyboard before.

Installation October 2011