Yingli Solar’s subsidiary, Yingli Singapore, recently donated a 3-kW off-grid solar power system to a school in Laos that had no prior access to electricity.
The project resulted from Yingli’s collaboration with Earthlink, an environmental club from Nanyang Technological University (NTU), YMCA Singapore, and Rezeca Renewables, a leading system integrator in Singapore. MyLaoHome Hotels & Villas Co., a local community partner, also assisted with project coordination and logistics. Located in Ban Lad Khammune, which is four hours from the city of Luang Prabang by boat, the school serves over 100 primary and secondary students from seven nearby villages. The official commissioning of the project took place on June 25, 2014.
Yingli Singapore’s donated off-grid system brought electricity to this school in Laos.
“We are honored to be part of this initiative and to see that our products and services are contributing positively to the community,” says Angie Koh, business development director of Yingli Singapore. “This project powerfully exemplifies how renewable, sustainable energy can improve the lives of rural communities, and is reflective of Yingli’s larger efforts to improve the lives of people around the world with affordable green energy. By partnering with NGOs and environmental organizations, Yingli can make a more significant impact with its community work in South East Asia.”
The off-grid solar energy system powers LED lighting for night classes, which the school implemented to meet increased demand as its student body grows. To improve students’ learning environment, electric fans were installed that provide classrooms with much-needed ventilation in Laos’ hot climate. The electricity produced by the system will also be used to power projectors, audio-visual systems, and related equipment to enhance the school’s educational program.
With guidance from Yingli Solar and Rezeca Renewables, twenty Earthlinks NTU student volunteers planned the wiring of the school, which provided them with a valuable opportunity to apply knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to solve practical, real-life problems. NTU Earthlinks volunteers also conducted an English language and Environmental Awareness Program for the local students that used interactive activities such as drama, songs and games, and also installed the lights and fans at the school.
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