A project to provide low-cost solar power lights to houses in Samoa has been launched. The Apia Rotary Club is working with a local NGO called “the Women in Business Samoa” to help bring light to the pacific island nation.
Due to the unfavourable geography, electricity is very expensive in Samoa. Samoans therefore often have to resort to using dangerous kerosene lamps for illumination. With fuel also scarce, this forces many households into the dark. The solar light should solve this problem because if there’s one resource the Samoans have, it’s sunshine.
The sturdy lights are sold individually and can be snapped together to form larger units. The 9 cm by 9 cm lights will give off six to eight hours of light or up to 12 to 15 hours on the 50 percent setting. Most households will have to buy the solar lights, but Women in Business will provide the lights to some families for free. The organisation has field workers that will distribute the lights to working families.
The solar lights have been successfully used in renewable energy projects in Papua New Guinea and the project is the first to offer the equipment in Polynesia. The project will serve as a framework for rolling out similar projects in other Pacific nations.
Rotarians are bringing solar lights to Samoans
One early recipient of the solar light says he is thankful for receiving the solar lights. Like many of his fellow countrymen, he has suffered many long power outages. The most recent one came when tropical cyclone Evans swooped across Samoa and blacked out parts of the pacific for weeks.
The Rotarian project in Samoa is yet another example of how solar can be a good option for off-the-grid island nations. Maybe Samoa also fancies a floating solar array?
Photo credit: Women in Business Samoa
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