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Installation commenced in January 2003 after successfully finding an appropriate location, and with the backing of all key stakeholders. A team of four residents from the community had been trained to install and maintain the energy systems and to operate the local business, which is called "Switch On". A base had been established at a remote point, storage facilities arranged, customer information material developed and community marketing commenced. Systems had to be established to deal with the fact that the project area has no telephone communications of any sort and limited road access. Special arrangements had to be made for all deliveries, and various cash collection methods have been trialled over the duration of the project |
| A fundamental aspect of the project is that it allows users of the energy systems to be owners. As most rural people cannot afford the capital cost of such a system, customers enter a financing agreement, with an affordable monthly repayment, so allowing them to immediately own the energy package. This loan is repaid over 36 months. By the end of the grant term, in January 2004, the most recently installed systems had been operating for only 4 months. The obligations of both the Switch On business, and the customers themselves, will therefore have 32 months to endure in order to show the complete success of the demonstration. | Project Scope 2 demonstration sites 88 customers 4 local team members 1 technical manager 1 local manager 1 second-hand vehicle |
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The solar component of the energy system is maintained by the Switch On team during the whole of the loan repayment time and a monthly refill of gas is supplied. As owner of the system, the customer is responsible for the security of the solar panel and any loss or damage not covered by guarantee. | ||||
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| Background | Objectives | Results | Conclusions |