Solar Panels!

Mike and I have been helping our friend Kathryn with her solar panel project for a few months now and we finally got to install the system two weekends ago. The project is using solar panels that were previously donated to the school by the "1 laptop, 1 child" program. Originally the town did not have electricity so the laptops were charged using these panels. Unfortunately, the laptops are no longer used and so the panels are also not being used. However, solar panels have a life of 25 years! Thus we decided to reuse the panels for a nighttime security lights system that the school needed. Here are some photos of the installation and the crazy adventure Mike and I took in a mototaxi to bring Kathryn her batteries which weighed more than 76 kg. In the process, we had to cross 1 river 3 times. I was definitely worried we would not make it, but we did and everything got installed! I loved this project and I cannot wait to do more clean energy projects! Soon to come: My wind turbine!!!

If only you guys could see the route we had to take

Testing 1 panel

Testing more panels

Stripping wires and getting the charge controller together

No maintenance batteries are a pain. We had to do some crazy wiring on this battery!

End of Day 1, the whole system works!!! (Notice the light?) I am not poking Kathryn's socio in the belly

System is up and complete!/Dreamteam

3/5 panels the other two are on the other side of the roof.