Kenneth Moi, Mashaba solar farm
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Authors
Justine Williams
Issue Date
2016-04
Type
Language
en
Keywords
Energy
Alternative Title
Abstract
Practical Action's Sustainable Energy 4 Rural Communities (SE4RC) project is providing access to modern energy services in poor and remote locations in Zimbabwe. Kenneth Moi uses solar powered irrigation to grow maize and vegetables on the farm by the River Sashi. When the river is dry you can walk across to Botswana. Many younger members of the community go to find work. Mashaba Solar Farm has 400 solar panels that give 99 kw of power. The 144 batteries will last for two days when it is cloudy. The mini grid supplies two irrigation schemes, a school, a clinic, business centers and energy kiosks. This is the largest off-grid solar plant in Zimbabwe. The local community will be charged for their electricity usage, with subsidized rates for the school and health clinic. It is planned to introduce pre-payment meters to aid collection of fees. This will ensure a fund is built up for maintenance and repair of the system. It is expected to generate a eight to ten year payback on the original costs which can be reinvested into community energy. "Before I worked here I had nothing to do and would have to ask for money to buy food. I hope that this new system will mean I can grow enough food to feed my family. "I enjoy working on security for the water pump. It is not a difficult job and there isn’t a great risk of people threatening the system. I ensure the gate is kept closed to protect everything from the animals."