Ryan Payne, S.M.ASCE's visit marked the third project that the University of Maryland's EWB-USA chapter made to Dissin. In fact, past projects included solar panels to light a dozen village schools, and a second solar project that provided water from the construction of two large cistern tanks, and solar driven electric pumps to fill the cisterns.
Dr. Jungho Kim, a professor of Mechanical Engineering and advisor to the first Dissin trip, conceived the idea for a solar powered off-grid electrification project. "The main idea for this new project was to provide a source of electricity that everyone in the community could access, not just the schools," said Payne. "The community of Dissin has no electric grid outside its town center. There are about 10,000 people without electricity."
Driven by the students, Payne's team began putting together the nuts and bolts of the project by meeting with the villagers in August 2008. Over the course of the semester, the team incorporated the villagers' feedback into their design. "We had to maximize the efficiency of the system, minimize cost, and minimize the complexity," commented Payne. "We sought to use sustainable, simple, but elegant designs that the commuity could be proud of and care for easily."
At the close of the semester, a 900 pound crate of solar panels packed with tools and materials left for Africa followed by Payne's team of 12. The only challenge the team faced was the limited source of local materials they initially envisioned making greater use of. "We had to come up with a few creative solutions on the fly...to ensure the project worked properly," said Payne. "However, for the most part, this was a trip that went without a hitch."
The team worked with the community to build the charge centers, while also finding time to socialize -- an unexpected perk that allowed their bonds grow. The team worked in front of an audience of children, men, and women. "That [social time] was very valuable," noted Payne. "I never cease to be amazed by the joy that people in [developing countries] are able to find in their very difficult lives. Truly, there is a weak link between real happiness and having 'things'."
After the successful implementation of the solar powered battery recharging for off-grid electrification, the team educated the villagers on the maintenance of both the new system and the school lighting systems that were installed a year earlier.
Though the project is complete, Payne's team is far from finished. The team will return in June to assess the feasibility of electrifying five village health centers with the solar panel. "Our chapter is also considering a way to get reliable water and sanitation facilities to the hospitals."
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