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Space to hold the initial PV
module training workshop being constructed (compliments of Consul Dembélé)
in Consul Dembélé’s front yard
The purpose of the initial phase of the project was not only to provide
light and running water to the school, but to get a local cottage industry
started, producing solar panels and solar cookers from local materials.
In order to do so, we trained local Malians to build, install and repair
solar panels, water pumps, batteries and cookers.
Putting up the tarp for shade
The location of the workshop saved us a lot of time and energy. We won't
have to drive 20 minutes back and forth through city traffic for lunch.
Buying materials in the local market
in Bamako for the solar panel workshop
Dr. Komp, Carolina Barreto Cajina and I went through the local Malian
market and purchased several materials needed for the project (e.g., wire/cable,
breakers, wire clamps, circuit breakers, extension cords for soldering
irons, silicon, and duct tape). Purchasing of materials on the local market
with the Malians from Ji Duma is imperative to ensuring the project is
sustainable. In the future, only solar cells should be imported. As a
result of the market trip, the Malians from Ji Duma and the new micro-enterprise
who are being trained will know how to find the materials needed on the
local market.
12 participants who are learning how
to build photovoltaic modules with all local materials, except the cells
The training was meant to empower Malians to enjoy self-sufficiency after
my colleagues and I had completed our training and departed, hopefully
to help others initiate similar programs in another country.
Carolina Barreto giving a lecture in
on how PV cells work and how they will be cut for the 35 and 50 watt modules
we assembled
Carolina is fluent in French (Mali’s official language) but the
lecture was also translated for the students into Bambara, the language
spoken by the villagers.
Two workshop participants learning how
to cut smaller solar cells
Small cells like this are used for devices like battery chargers or garden
lights. The group started working with single crystal Astropower PV cells,
but since these are no longer available, they then learned how to make
30 and 60 watt modules using the ribbon-grown Evergreen Solar cells. These
are much more fragile but able to be cut with care and are available in
quantity.
Daniel Dembélé (the designated
head of the new micro-enterprise), learning how to solder ribbons to the
cells in order to connect the cells for a small battery charger
It is necessary to learn how to solder smaller cells for technology such
as a battery charger before soldering larger cells, used for panels. Soldering
is a technique and the participants had to get used to soldering cells
in order to avoid breaking more expensive cells used in panels.
Testing the soldered cells with a multimeter
Testing is necessary to make sure that the voltage of the entire string
of cells is correct. If one cell has significantly lower voltage, it will
cripple the efficiency of the string, and therefore must be replaced.
Alusine, an electrician for Ji Duma
and a participant in the workshop, cutting a solar cell that will be used
for a 35 watt panel
Dumbya, an employee of Ji Duma, soldering
cells that will be used for the first 35 watt panel produced in Mali
Testing the voltage of the strings of
cells that will be used in the 35 watt panel
Soldering the last string of cells that
will be laid in the one of the two 35 watt panels being constructed
Laying the protective cover on the back
of the panel
Daniel Dembélé and Mamadou
Kouyate test the voltage of the first, 35 watt panel constructed by Malians
in Mali
Laying cells for a 50 watt panel
Two locally produced 35 watt solar panels
take in the sun!!!!!
The group we trained learned so unbelievably fast and are shown above
after completing the construction/assembly of the first solar panels EVER
produced locally in Mali!!! They learned how to cut, solder and assemble
the cells to make the panels in less than 4 days.
Mamadou Kouyate, Daniel Dembélé,
Omar Coulibaly and Mary Graham
A new micro-enterprise has been created as a result of our training. The
son of the president of Ji Duma, Daniel Dembélé, will work
in the business with 4 other members who took part in the training (and
who have all known each other for many years). The new micro-enterprise
is the first business in Mali to produce panels.
click to see the banco installation>>
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