Dear Washi,
I would like to report that we have completed the installation of both solar panel systems in the communities of Chupani and Chuallacocca.
Although the trek to get our materials and ourselves there was daunting, the end results were certainly worth it.
In Chupani, we installed the panel on the roof of the school building. We used a special controller that would step down the 24V of the panel to 12V. We installed a very high quality 600W PowerBright inverter with the system. We hard-wired ceiling lighting fixtures into two classrooms, two teacher bedrooms and the kitchen. We also included a power strip for other devices to be plugged in, and additional outlets in the bedrooms and kitchen.
Our extremely long day started at the Cusco office at 4 a.m. We drove for about 4 hours, then hiked with horses for another 4 hours before starting the installation. We slept at the facility in the teacher rooms and had dinner with them in the kitchen. The joy that we experienced was incredible. We were able to cook, eat and relax with light!
The next day we hiked to Chuallacocca and installed a similar system on the roof of their school building. We hard-wired lighting into the school room and kitchen. Again, the teachers, children and families were thrilled with the installation. We returned last night about 11 p.m., again after hiking for about 2 hours and driving another 4 hours.
I am happy to say that the installations went well, with everything functioning as they should.
Thanks for the opportunity and for all your help.
Best,
Alicia Kozuch
Buen Power Peru