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Automatic community street lighting system with photovoltaic solar energy for indigenous communities of Puerto Mosquito.

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Community group for the development of alternative energy solutions

Colombia, Magdalena, Santa Marta, Puerto Mosquito

2017

Technology:

Transition Areas
Fair Energetics

  • Alternative energy supply.
  • Energy efficiency.
  • Access to energy for local communities.

By 2020, the project had been tested for two years in the Puerto Mosquito area of Santa Marta, where the indigenous community lives. The assembly was made with materials from SENA (Sistema de Educación Nacional de Aprendizaje). Some luminaires were left for the sidewalk and the rest were uninstalled. 

Based on this experience, the benefits of renewable energies in the communities located in non-interconnected areas of the department of Magdalena were verified.

Solar photovoltaic systems are an environmentally friendly solution, which are well accepted in communities that do not have stable electricity service.

Technical characteristics of the proposal

20W luminaire, 30W solar panel, 12V 20Ah battery, photocell switch, luminaire housing and recyclable materials.

Beneficiaries of the experience

20 families composed of: 25 women, 23 men, 30 boys and girls (between 0 and 12 years old), 22 young people (between 12 and 18 years old), 20 families composed of: 25 women, 23 men, 30 boys and girls (between 0 and 12 years old), 22 young people (between 12 and 18 years old)

Achievements and problems encountered during implementation

ACHIEVEMENTS:

  1. Illumination of public spaces in the community.
  2. Environmental benefits, focused on the efficient use of energy and reuse of recycled materials.
  3. A positive response was generated from the beneficiary community, who committed to take care of the installed equipment.

PROBLEMS:

  1. The costs of some devices were the limiting factor for the development of more solar luminaires that would benefit the community.
  2. The geographic conditions of the site make access difficult for transporting materials and installing equipment.

Women’s participation in the TEJ community experience

Some young women from the community who were interested in the project in the ornamental area, contributed to make the place look much more beautiful and organized; they also supported the recycling activities.

Social networks / experience contact