one might think that Indonesia would be the ideal place for solar energy to thrive, given its sun all the year. However, due to financial, technical and economic, it is not like solar power will become one for the masses soon. That did not stop a man trying to harness the power of improving the lives of poor villagers in rural areas of Jakarta.
Hemant Chanrai co-founded in 2012 Azzura Solar, a company that installs primarily to properties in Bali solar technology. Last year, the Bright Future program (BFP) was born as CSR division solar Azzura, committed to empowering communities in need, improve local standards of living and create a sustainable environment for Indonesia . An intercultural school Jakarta (JIS) graduate, Hemant originally studied economics at University College London (UCL) before launching into the world of solar energy back to Indonesia.
Why solar? Chanrai was intrigued by the power of the sun and wondered why it was not adopted in Indonesia. According Chanrai, "PLN ( Perusahaan Listrik Negara ) does not reach enough people - there are 250 million people in Indonesia and according to a study by the UN, one in four has restricted access to electricity. PLN subsidies are higher and higher, reaching $ 40 billion in 2014 because the grid system is simply not reaching enough people. "
Chanrai is optimistic about solar energy and believes he has a bright future. "Solar energy can be applied very quickly. As long as you have the land or roof, it can take a day to arrange an entire house. With the infrastructure in Indonesia, which can make it reach areas rural time, solar energy is the perfect resource, "he says.
one of the main reasons why solar energy has not reached the masses in Indonesia is that is very expensive initially set up, which costs about US $ 30,000 to equip an entire house. It is an investment, but the initial cost is always something people can not afford in a country where GDP per capita is $ 3533 (IMF, 2014) electricity in Indonesia is still cheap. - to 8 cents per kilowatt hour -. And when the cheapest option is there, which is what people will to
Chanrai urges the public to consider adapting some sun in our daily lives. "Look parts of your life to see where solar energy can be applied; it is very scalable, "he urges." The small actions you apply solar energy will help in the long run, even from charge your phone. "
The idea came when BFP Chanrai started selling solar power phone banks to the Indonesian public, receiving an order someone to Sukabumi requiring chargers to power the lights in his house because of regular outages in the region. This has opened the Chanrai eyes of poor people living further away from the grid, who needed another way to power the lights.
BFP now focuses its work on the Marga Mulya area of north Jakarta , a poor neighborhood with many children and families with very limited access to electricity. families were unproductive night and children were unable to study or read after sunset. BFP has changed family habits, including safety, and plans to branch out to many other areas in need in the future.
The program has developed its own system, ingenious low cost, in which a small solar panel can be attached to a water bottle filled with water reused (bleach can be added to increase the light of refraction), which also promotes the reuse of beverage bottles. BFP has worked with a 3D printing company to print a "bottle cap" for each panel, used to attach the solar panel to the water bottle.
The villagers just hang signs in the day to capture energy from the sun, and fully charged battery can provide four to six hours of light at night.
The panels will produce electricity for about 25 years and BFP perform regular maintenance for their projects to ensure sustainability.
Chanrai Currently working with Brandon Fernandes, a student at JIS, on a larger plant project in Marga Mulya for the Community area, the installation of solar generators in four to five homes. Funds for this project were raised through crowdfunding and through fundraising made to JIS. The BFP to donors were generally the 25-35 years age group, such as Chanrai, solar energy is considered "fashionable".
Receivers solar panels are invited to a single charge of what they can afford, whether or Rp.2,000 Rp.5,000, giving a sense of belonging and responsibility. "When we gave for free, we found people would not take care of it and they could even sell it, whereas if they give something for her, their mentality changes," said Chanrai. The remaining costs are covered by Azzura 10%, and the rest of sponsors.
As dreams are Chanrai for each of his campaigns to be larger than the last, future plans are to provide solar power for an entire village. The plans would be to provide solar lighting for ten houses, including a solar powered pump system and street lamps around the village. Chanrai visit potential sites for its "Solar Village" and there will be a crowdfunding campaign on kitabisa.com in a not too distant future, so keep your eyes open if you want to help shine a light to others in need!
For more information, please visit www.azzura-solar.com