ChildFund Sierra Leone Goes Solar: Greening Operations and Slashing Carbon Footprints

Much like air and water, electricity is essential to our daily lives, becoming a fundamental part of our modern existence. As is the norm in most African countries, when there is no electricity, we use diesel-powered generators. Every other establishment, be it an office, place of worship, school or home, has a generator. Reports indicate that there are approximately 33,000 generators currently in use in Sierra Leone, providing a capacity of around 180 MW. Unfortunately, ChildFund Sierra Leone, just like many other entities happens to own a generator.

The temptation to switch to generators during power outages creates a bittersweet relationship between humans and the environment. While humans benefit from this alternative source of electricity, the environment suffers, and others are also affected.

According to World Nuclear Association, over 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions are due to the burning of fossil fuels, such as diesel. for electricity generation.’’

As greenhouse gas emissions envelop the Earth, they trap the sun's heat, triggering global warming and climate change. The planet is now heating up at an unprecedented rate in recorded history. Rising temperatures are altering weather patterns and disrupting the natural balance, a situation currently affecting Sierra Leone. Heatwaves are sweeping across the country, raising serious concerns.

At the beginning of this year, we decided that climate action starts with us, as individuals, and by extension, as an organization. Recognizing the frequent power outages and high costs associated with diesel generators, ChildFund decided to transition to a more reliable and eco-friendly energy source. We embarked on an ambitious office solarization project aimed at reducing operational costs and promoting environmental sustainability.

The project began with an extensive energy audit to determine the office's energy consumption patterns and peak load requirements. This audit provided the baseline data necessary for designing a customized solar power system capable of meeting the office's energy needs.

After the audit, we began the installation of an initial 42 solar panels on our two-story block office. We later added another 18. In all, a total of 62 solar panels (550 watts per panel) 6 lithium solar batteries including solar charge controller unit were installed. The installation process began with the selection of high-efficiency photovoltaic panels and advanced inverters, capable of converting solar energy into usable electricity. To ensure maximum efficiency, the panels were mounted at an optimal angle to capture the most sunlight throughout the day.

The robust battery storage system stores excess energy generated during the day for use during nighttime or cloudy days. This system is crucial for ensuring a continuous power supply, thus eliminating the need for backup diesel generators. The entire installation was carried out by a team of certified solar technicians in collaboration with local contractors, promoting skill transfer and local capacity building.

The total estimated cost for the solarization project was approximately $42,210.15. This included the cost of the solar panels, inverters, battery storage system, mounting structures, wiring, and labor. While the initial investment was substantial, ChildFund anticipates significant long-term savings on energy expenses and a reduction in carbon emissions. The organization expects to recoup the investment within five to seven years through savings on electricity bills and zero generator fuel costs.

Cost Savings: The Bright Return on Investment from Solar Panels at ChildFund's Freetown Office

Installation costs for solar panels can be expensive, but solar power offers long-term financial benefits. Once installed, solar panels incur minimal operating and maintenance costs, providing electricity for decades. Over time, solar power has substantially lowered electricity bills, yielding a solid return on investment, as demonstrated at our ChildFund office in Freetown.

Since transitioning from generators to solar power, our ChildFund headquarters office has realized significant savings. Before solarization, our Freetown headquarters spent USD 4,550 on generator fuel per year. After switching to solar power, this expense dropped to USD 697, resulting in a remarkable saving of USD 3,853.

Similarly, our expenditure on the Electricity Distribution Agency (EDSA) was USD 5,865 per year, which has now decreased to USD 354, saving us an impressive USD 5,511 per year.

?Shining Solutions: How Solar Power Cuts Carbon Footprints and Fights Climate Change

Solar energy production results in minimal greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants, in stark contrast to traditional electricity generation methods such as coal or natural gas. By harnessing solar power, we have effectively diminished our carbon footprint and minimized the impacts of climate change in the workplace. This is in line with our organization’s current climate action efforts globally.

Sustainability: Solar energy comes from the sun, which keeps shining and giving us more energy. It's a sustainable way to power things for a long time. If we take good care of our solar equipment, we'll only need the sun and rechargeable batteries for power. The next generation of ChildFund staff will enjoy these facilities over time.

Energy Independence: Using solar power instead of relying on imported fossil fuels makes countries more secure and independent with their energy. Solar energy can be used locally, making it less likely that problems with energy supplies or prices in other parts of the world will affect them.

Grid Resilience: Solar panels on rooftops and other small solar power setups spread out where electricity is made, making the power grid stronger. When power is made close to where it's used, solar energy cuts down on the energy lost when electricity travels long distances. This helps prevent big power failures during storms or when parts of the power grid stop working.

Transitioning to solar electric power as an alternative to traditional electricity sources offers multiple benefits, including environmental sustainability, energy independence, cost savings, grid resilience, rural electrification, and job creation. As renewable energy technologies continue to advance and costs decline, solar power increasingly emerges as a viable and advantageous solution for meeting the world's growing energy needs. We are proving that we can provide access to electricity without leaving carbon footprints, can’t we? ?We have done it and are now urging other organizations, starting with our local partner organizations to follow suit. Do your part in combating climate change today. Together, we can save our planet and create a sustainable future for generations to come.

With solar now installed at our office, even the noise pollution from the generator has phased out. Staff who may want to come over to the office over the weekend or at flexible hours can do so without worrying about electricity/power outage.