German Embassy and the Rural and Suburban Electrification Unit Inaugurate Solar Panels in Eight Schools in San José de Ocoa Province

With support from the German government, the Rural and Suburban Electrification Unit (UERS in Spanish) inaugurated the installation of 80 solar panels to be used in eight different schools throughout the province of San José de Ocoa. The public unveiling of the solar panels took place at the Arroyo Manteca Public School on July 2, 2009.

“In any kind of development project, the focus should be on young people which is what the German Embassy and the UERS has done in an effort to encourage community involvement and the realization of citizens’ capacities and potential to contribute to the strengthening of families, local communities…”

The eight solar panel systems are the result of two cooperation agreements signed by the German Embassy and the UERS this past April in which the German Embassy committed to two different subsidy payments amounting to a total of 1.64 million Dominican pesos. The primary schools to be outfitted with the solar panels are in the following communities of Ocoa: “Derrumbadero”, “La Cruz de Santana,” “El Manaclar,” “Los Anones,” “La Morita,” “La Nuez,” “Arroyo Manteca” and “El Toro. ”

The Director General of UERS, Thelma Eusebio, accompanied by German Ambassador Christian Germann, explained that the solar projects will benefit more than 300 students in the areas where they’re installed.

Ambassador Germann said his Embassy was very interested in the collaboration that led to the realization of this challenging project, explaining that Germany has recently been at the cutting edge of renewable energy development. The German government has carried out a two-fold strategy of increasing energy efficiency while increasing its use of renewable energy resources. In addition to the improved energy distribution, both strategies simultaneously contribute to the protection of the atmosphere and climate.

Directors, teachers and students of the beneficiary schools agree that the installation of the solar panels represent a technological solution that is appropriate for this area considering the geographic, environmental and social characteristics of these communities. A documentary was shown at the inaugural event which showed images of the project and commentaries from the students, parents and residents in the eight communities.

“In any kind of development project, the focus should be on young people which is what the German Embassy and the UERS has done in an effort to encourage community involvement and the realization of citizens’ capacities and potential to contribute to the strengthening of families, local communities and the country as they form part of the nation’s future, democracy, government, political parties and themselves become leaders, activists and grassroots organizers who defend and promote transparency, responsibility, equality and education,” said Thelma Eusebio, Director of UERS.

TECHNICAL DATA

Technical data and installation information on how the panels were set up at the schools: EMT tubing, electrical cables laid for currency transport, bathrooms and kitchens, complete lighting outlets, interior and exterior; polarized and grounded current outlets such as a complete grounded system with double and simple switches; battery charging bases; VDC-224 AMPs and 40 AMP circuit breaker boxes; 1-kilowatt control and installation boards and corresponding connections.

The 80 panels were installed on the roofs of the schools in a North-South direction with the idea of taking full advantage of the total energy available then distribute it over the course of the day from sunrise to sunset and to be able to recharge the batteries. This way, all electrical equipment, such as computers, printers and lighting, will be able to function when ever necessary.

This project was coordinated by the Alternative Energy Office of UERS.