The Solar Panel Project
The solar panel project for the Écluje School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was a significant step in strengthening the educational infrastructure and expanding the community space.
In total, we installed
- A robust and secure structure for the installation of the solar panel to ensure that the system withstands local weather conditions
- 6 solar cells, each with 380 watts of power, providing a total output of 2,280 watts
- 12 batteries, each with 6V and a capacity of 225 Ah, serving as energy storage to use electricity after sunset
- An inverter that converts the energy from direct current (DC) to usable alternating current (AC) for the school and the community
The installation of the solar panel has brought significant improvements and benefits to the use of the school building.
- Lighting after dark: The school can now be used in the evenings, enabling activities such as film screenings for children and youth, and promoting adult education.
- Multimedia learning content: Teachers can now integrate educational films and other digital content into lessons, making teaching more interactive and engaging.
- Community events: On weekends, the school can now be used as a venue for social events, such as football broadcasts, bringing the local community closer together.
- Office use: The solar panel also provides an important contribution to the daily office use at the Écluje School. The generated electricity is used to power the principal’s and teachers’ laptops.
Project Timeline:
The financial resources for the project were received in three transfers: 2 of them went directly to the solar panel vendor. The remaining budget was received on July 4th in the Rotary Club of Wall Street project account in Haiti. Construction work began over the summer, with the structure for the solar system built and the solar panel installed.
On August 28th, 2024, the solar panel was successfully put into operation.
Additionally, further projects were funded.
- With donations from ECLUJE, a printer was purchased, significantly simplifying the school’s ongoing operations. Previously, materials for tests and exams had to be printed at a copy shop, incurring additional costs. With the printer on-site, operating costs can be reduced, and workflows made more efficient.
- Additional funds from the “Dinner for a Cause” Initiative supported the construction of a rainwater harvesting system and sanitary facilities and further completion of the building.
More insights and material
Raising the funds
In total we were able to collect some $16,000 for the second phase of our engagement, largely through the “Dinner for a Cause” fundraiser. This was a series of global events that united Rotarians from 12 cities in 5 different countries to raise funds for the Écluje School in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. In 14 different events, Rotarians came together to support this important project.
Past Presidents Albert Davis and Jan Holz fondly remember the time when they stopped in Kleinmachnow with the caravan. The later fire pit evening raised an overwhelming donation amount of € 3,500 – a surprise for all involved. Thanks to the extraordinary commitment of Pia Skarabis-Querfeld and her successful initiative to double the donations through a District Grant, the solar panel for the Écluje School was fully funded.
Consequently, further donations, including from the Rotary Club EuroRegio, supported the construction of a rainwater harvesting system and sanitary facilities.
Challenges and Outlook:
The situation in Haiti remains very difficult, particularly due to gang activities that severely impact daily life. However, a glimmer of hope is the recently appointed transitional government and the international peace mission led by Kenya. Despite these adverse circumstances, the school has always kept its doors open, supporting not only its students but also the local community. Once again, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to all who supported. This support has not only significantly improved the educational opportunities at the Écluje School but also made a great contribution to the cohesion of the community in difficult times. The impact of your help is sustainable and tangible. To give you an insight into the results of this project, we have created a video showing the installed solar panel and the positive changes.