Bring Renewable Energy and Sustainable Electricity Photo Gallery

Typical solar home system fittings of the Electricity Now Project. Observe the proximity of the power grid at top left. Many families live close to the power grid, but they cannot afford to pay for the connection.

The IDEAAS team on field work, visiting the families served by the project. This is a 6m by 6m home. After gaining access to electricity, the families not only have light, radio and water pumping, but can also enjoy television and use cell phones. Cell phones are vitally important communication tools for this isolated rural population.

A typical example of the families served by the Electricity Now Project. They live in small farms, have no access to electricity, communications or treated water.

Internal fittings of the solar home system. The battery and charge controller are placed in sealed plastic boxes, at 90cm from the floor. This is a safety measure, it protects the equipment from improper use, increases battery life and reduces operational costs. The image of a saint or religious symbol that is important for the family is also part of the kit. It is placed on top of the plastic box and helps protect the equipment, creating a space where there is less traffic and more care.

Details of a solar home system’s internal fittings.

Adaptation for cell phone battery chargers. As well as installing the solar home systems, the IDEAAS team considers it crucial that this energy can generate improvements in people’s daily lives. Therefore, the work of the IDEAAS team includes this aspect. People living without electricity have the same social habits as people had in the 18th century and earlier.

The impact of electricity access: Once they have access to electricity, people spontaneously start to improve their living conditions. In this case, a bathroom was built. The family said that they had not done it earlier because without electricity, they would end up moving away to the city. However, with electricity they would stay on the land, produce more and improve their living conditions, which has already started to happen!

The Electricity Now Project also helps the development of small entrepreneurs. This is a small service provider who was trained by the IDEAAS team. He installs the equipment, and afterwards provides electrical maintenance services whenever required.

The Electricity Now Project also helps small local businesses to develop. This is a local businessman who sells the 12 Volt equipment used in the SHSs installed.

The IDEAAS team works on the field, using a methodology based on human and social psychology in order to make the technology accessible to people and to help them build a better future.