UNSW STUDENTS BRING SOLAR POWERED SOLUTIONS TO NICARAGUA

UNSW students are helping Nicaragua capitalise on solar energy in a project that could have implications for developing countries across the world.

Because gas and electricity don't extend past Nicaragua's major cities, rural families are spending up to a third of their monthly income on firewood, kerosene and diesel lamps. This has lead to deforestation, increased respiratory illnesses and, because there are hundreds of unexploded mines in Nicaragua's forests, landmine casualties.

To meet the need, Nicaraguan NGOs are building solar energy panels from used cells donated by US companies. But, a mixture of economic hardship and lack of expertise means that instead of lasting 20 to 30 years, the panels are useless after only a few.

The Korima project, named after a native custom that dictates beneficiaries of a good harvest share with the less fortunate, will see students of photovoltaics billeted with Nicaraguan families for 2 months in early 2003. They will work with Grupo Fenix, a local NGO, to construct solar panels and introduce technologies such as solar cookers and water purifiers.

The UNSW students will help fix technical faults in the panels, so that they last longer and work better. Families will be able to purchase the panels for a small amount repayable by microcredit, and then receive free electricity for the panel's working life.

Nicaragua is the first developing country to start making its own solar panels; the others buy expensive pre-made models from first world producers such as the US and Japan. But after hearing about Korima, Nepal, China, Bangladesh and East Timor have expressed interest in hosting student teams from UNSW to help develop their use of renewable energy.

"Lots of different countries all around the world are watching very closely what we're doing in Nicaragua, and speaking with Grupo Fenix to see if we can come and do the same thing in their countries," said Keera Single, one of the students.

The students have so far raised half of the $60,000 needed to finance the trip, and are looking for sponsorship to cover the rest.

For more details on Korima visit the Web site.

CONTACT DETAILS: Keera Single, UNSW Centre for Photovoltaic Engineering, tel. 0405 677 957 or Annabel Day, UNSW Public Affairs and Development, tel. 9385 3644.