A sustainable solution
"The diesel generator, which of course is not sustainable, is only used when the solar system cannot run and the battery storage is empty," says Desmond. "In the past three years, Upper Blinkwater has already been able to generate about 90% of its electricity through photovoltaics. To make sure we do even better in the future, we will also be integrating small wind generators into the microgrid. Analyses have shown that there is enough wind in Upper Blinkwater. Therefore, we expect that in the future we will only need to use the diesel generator here very rarely and will be able to supply the households exclusively with sustainable electricity."
A chance to break away from poverty
“It was amazing to see the economic activities that were triggered by the provision of electricity alone. When we came here for the first time, there was very little economic activity in this little community. A lot of the trade was actually barter”, says Tshibvumo Sikhwivhilu, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lamo Solar. “Now, four years down the line, we were taken aback by the changes. For example, there is a local carpenter who is able to make chairs and tables through renewable green electricity to provide and sell them. Now, those chairs may appear as, you know, a luxury or something to sit on because it is furniture, but the impact of having a chair far spans beyond what we see with our naked eye, because schools and children are able to gather at one place sitting on something that is a lot more comfortable and not under trees to learn. A small step to break themselves away from the cycle of poverty. “
