Things are looking bright at Makangwe Community School, where Solar Panels have been installed for the first time. The solar panel unit will power lighting throughout the new 2 classroom and office block, completed by Build IT International earlier this year. 

Solar energy can make a real difference in Africa, where only 2% of rural areas have access to the grid. With  many regions of Africa having the highest levels of sunshine in the world, solar energy is the ideal solution. The running costs are also fairly low and reliability of the units is high.

After celebrating with an opening ceremony in February, the school are now enjoying using the classrooms for 4 hours extra each day. The unit provides lighting in each room, with 4 light bulbs in each classroom and 2 in the teacher’s office.

Alongside longer teaching hours, the extended use of the building will allow for night classes for adults, including literacy classes. It will also be the ideal place for community meetings to take place in the evenings.

The local community are already meeting to plan the development of the school site, including planting fruit trees, which will not only provide delicious food for the children, but a shady area to sit in the afternoon heat!