We feel it is only right that companies in the 'rich' world do what they can to share knowledge and benefits far and wide.
Solarsense went to Uganda in February 2005 to install a PV lighting system at Glenburnie Butega school. Whilst there we realised a need for a water supply to the school and in 2006 a team from Solarsense went back to the school and installed a solar powered water pump and rainwater storage system to supply water to the school for drinking and also so the children could learn to grow their own food. We also supplied solar power to the local medical centre, which is now up and running.
Solarsense then went to Senegal in March 2008 to help a medical charity by installing remote clinic lighting for 10 villages in the South of the country.
India 2010
In March 2010, a team of 4 went to the Bishop Bexell Orphanage in Tamil Nadu, India, to install solar PV panels. These provide lighting in the study and dormitories, and during our trip, they were the only lights still working when the local mains power went down. Our team members also taught the children the invaluable life skills that come with doing the 'Hokey Cokey'. A video of this event exists on Youtube.
We hosted a music evening on February 6th 2010 at the Long Ashton Church House with live music from Smokestack Shakers and other bands. It raised nearly £1000 for our India project. Thanks to all who came. The 2009 half marathon was something of a serious challenge for us all, and the £700+ raised in sponsorship was also used to great effect in India.
Ethiopia 2011
After the installation, the Solarsense team spent time training local people in managing the system and how it works, in particular how to keep the battery healthy, which is crucial for off grid solar systems. Nine people received this training, including two onsite nurses and the local electrician.
This project was in partnership with Bristol-based charity For-Ethiopia, whose Patron is Dr Alice Roberts (BBC Natural History etc). They have a Virgin Money Giving page here. The fridge was supplied by Dulas Ltd and imported with the assistance of the Oromia Regional Health Bureau. It was transferred to the site by the FDEA (For Development Ethiopia Association) whose manager, Mrs Worknesh Daba, made the whole project run like clockwork.
A newsletter with full details of the trip can be found here, while a For-Ethiopia volunteer visited the site in September and gave an evaluation of the fridge after 6 months in use, which can be downloaded here.
To raise money for this, a team of Solarsense staff took part in the Bristol Half Marathon, on September 5th 2010. We also held another music evening on Halloween at Long Ashton Church House - again thanks to all who came and made the fundraiser a success!
We will be returning to Ethiopia again in 2012 as For-Ethiopia have identified many further remote sites which would benefit hugely from the solar powered refrigeration units.
Solarsense's Managing Director Stephen Barrett and the whole team would like to thank all who have supported projects with their donations, including;
| St Philip & St James’s Church, Bath | Allcover Insurance Brokers |
| The Iona Community | Metalmedia |
| Kingspan-Thermomax | Solarcentury for donating PV panels |
| Sebright Printing | Rathbone Greenbank Investments (Ethical and responsible investment services for private clients and charities) |
| Andy at Castle Scaffolding in Bristol | Kevin Hughes (Firewok) |
| Newark Copper Cylinders | Dunkley’s Accountants |
| All those who come to the Solarsense Fundraising Concerts, supported the marathon runners or get involved with our other fundraising events | Anyone else we have inadvertently failed to mention |
Please contact Solarsense for details on how to participate or sponsor us for our charity work. To see how we go about it, have a look at our charity method statement.
In addition to our overseas charity work, Solarsense also choose a local charity to support each year with a free solar PV installation. This year’s chosen UK charity partner is The Rainbow Centre (Registered Charity Number:6240935), a Bristol-based charity which provides free therapeutic support to children and their families affected by bereavement, life threatening illness and cancer.
We also support a number of local and national charities and social enterprises via more passive donations, including but not limited to the following:
The Converging World – a UK- based charity against social inequality which creates mechanisms to link communities in the developed and developing world. We donated a solar cooker for their trip to Tirunelveli, India, earlier this year, where they tested different cookers with the rural community.
Brake The Cycle – a new social enterprise inspiring sustainable living through carbon-free adventure – we donated a super solar charging kit for their Camden to Cape Town cycling fundraiser. To follow their blog writings on their solar charged Ibook, click here.
Solarsense can provide free talks, presentations and workshops about solar power in the developing world to groups, including school groups, who may be interested in our charity solar projects. To find out more or arrange a workshop for your group, please contact us.
Please contact Solarsense for details on how to participate or sponsor us for our charity work
