Renewable Energy Business Information Centre installed in Northern Uganda

Renewable Energy
Business Information Centre

In recent days a modified shipment container with an inbuilt solar pv system was installed at the Northern Farmer`s Cooperative Initiative training centre in Opit near Gulu. By providing access to information for example through internet, this Business Information Centre shall empower the farming community to achieve further economic grows by enhanced planting methods and knowledge of current market situation.

Solar-pv pannel installation

The Business Information Centre will be equipped with three low energy consuming computers connected to the internet and a scanner-printer combination. All devices will be run on 12V DC to guarantee high electrical efficiency because of no necessary voltage conversion. Phone charging services and solar lamp rentals will also be offered to overcome the lack of electricity for rural population. The Business Information Centre will operate as an independent, self-financed commercial business.

Northern Farmer`s Comunity 
training centre

After building up the container on site on 24th and 25th of October 2012 the Business Information Centre is now ready to use. Ten crystalline solar PV modules with a total power of 1300 Wp were installed on top of the container, to provide electrical energy for the unit. The power supply system also includes three batteries with a total capacity of 630 Ah and two charge controller for maximum currents of 45 A and 60 A. Beside the high capacity of 1300 Wp, the unit is designed as a 12 V bus system. This is due to the 12 V applications and to avoid 24 V to 12 V DC DC conversion. In addition, an DC AC inverter allows conventional electrical equipment to be run with 230 Volt AC in the container.

Now the installation of the Business Information Centre is completed and the business is ready to go.

Field research delivers first results

Solar Energy Kiosk

The Energy Kiosk in Kabanga, Mukono district is a modified shipment container with power generated by a 12 V solar PV system. Test runs at the Kiosk have now given various field results for analysis.

The first challenge in running the Energy Kiosk was to offer services that were suited to consumer behavior and market demand. With this in mind, the Kiosk now offers lending and charging of solar lanterns, charging of mobile phones, and renting of portable DVD players. The Kiosk is also equipped with two solar computers to provide internet access, printing, scanning and copying.

Solar lamps back in the laborator

Technical knowledge was also acquired during the test runs. Analysis of wear, defects, and degradation of technical properties allowed researchers to draw conclusions about design and quality of the products.

The activities in Kabanga are focused on delivering and testing of solar lamps. Therefore the customers can always choose between at least five different types of solar lamps. Recently, the original lamps were partly replaced and new models added due to wear and defects and for analysis in the laboratory.