I work in the solar PV industry and have done for several years.    Along with some good friends who also work in this industry we see it as our priviledge, to use our skills, time and resources to bring the benefit of free solar energy to others in the world who cannot afford it or simply have more essential things to spend their money on.  

Our current project is for the Philippines Community Fund who work in the community built up around the rubbish dumps of Manila.

Their website:  www.p-c-f.org 

Electricity in the Philippines is expensive, and for a school educating almost 900 children from the poorest communities in Manila it is a drain on the precious funds they receive from their fundraising efforts.   The school building itself is a testament to kindness and innovation as it is built from 78 recycled shipping containers 40 feet long that were donated and turned into a four storey building, providing education for children and vocational training for adults.  The large flat roof is perfect for solar PV and the high levels of solar energy in the Philippines mean that solar makes a lot of sense.   

In addition to the school and a multitude of other projects the charity runs they also provide a health clinic in the nearby slum which has no access to electricity.  Connections to the national grid are both expensive and risky in areas where illegal connections are commonplace.  The answer to this is the provision of an off-grid system which will supply lighting, ceiling fans and power for a few pieces of equipment and the fridge which contains the vaccinations and medicines.

This is phase one of a two part project.  On this visit we hope to install a 4.8 kWp system on the school, and a 2.16 kWp system on the clinic.  We intend to train the facilities staff in the school to maintain the solar systems and monitor its performance.  During this trip will also collect the information necessary to extend the school system in the next year or two to make a bigger dent in their energy costs.

Thanks for your time, and please make a donation if you can.