Mashaba solar farm
Loading...
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. Mashaba Solar Farm has 400 solar panels that give 99 kw of power. The 144 batteries last for two days when it is cloudy. It supplies two irrigation schemes, a school, 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 and 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. Priscilla Mano has been a nurse for 8 years. The Mashaba clinic has a maternity ward and delivery room and serves nearly 6,000 people who live up to 13km away. "We now have a fridge for storing vaccines, Oxytocin and HIV medicines. We deliver 4 babies a month and were using candles and cellphones at night. Mothers stay for two weeks before delivery and go home 3 days after. There are 3 nurses that work here but no midwives so we have all upskilled to deliver babies. We have 18-20 patients a day as well as family planning and HIV testing. The most common illnesses are acute respiratory infections, especially with cold weather.