Solar Powered Systems
For wells deeper than 50 meters, a different solution is required. A solar-powered pump and gravity distribution system is chosen as our preferred method.
SOLAR OPPORTUNITY
A sustainable solution.
We have developed a unique and sustainable system that uses solar power to draw the water up and a gravity system to distribute. Upfront costs are about 20% more than the hand pump, but the yielded benefits are incomparable.
No batteries
We needed to design a financially sustainable system within the community's means, and the greatest obstacle to this was the batteries. This system does not use batteries to store the energy - instead, it is a direct feed system and pumps whenever the sun is out.
Various collection points
Our model for this solar-powered system currently feeds water to a Community Distribution base with 4 faucets, a children’s drinking fountain with 6 faucets, a faucet in the community garden, and the teachers who live in the school.
Gravity powered distribution
We have a 10,000L tank elevated at 7 meters. The water is then distributed to different faucets using gravity power. In our spirit of inspiring development in the community after the project, this system also can feed households within a kilometer radius of the borehole.
Reliable
The community sets a schedule to draw water exclusively from sunrise until 1 pm - giving the tanks enough time to fill up for the next days' use.
SYSTEM DESIGN
Collection and distribution for everyone.
Below is a schematic of how the system is designed
WATER FLOWS
Flicking the switch.
Watch how incredible it is when the switch gets turned on and the system gets used by the community for the first time.
MAIN COLLECTION HUB
Community Collection Taps
The tanks distribute water to several areas. The main point is this community collection station that has four taps. The community opens it from sunrise until 2 PM so that the tank has enough time to replenish itself for the next day. Everything is managed by the community.
NEVER THIRSTY AT SCHOOL AGAIN
Children's Drinking Fountain
The Solar Powered system also feeds water to the children’s drinking fountain. You may recognize these kinds of fountains, but I promise you these kids have never seen anything like it!
We decided to use this design for the same reasons they are good everywhere: a child can’t accidentally leave the tap on, you don’t need a cup to drink, prevents kids from all reusing the same cup together to promote better hygiene and disease prevention, and encourages the kids to drink more.
We also made this so that the students don’t go to the same place the community is collecting water to avoid any distractions during school.
