Meet Dave. He's on his way to Koutaya!
Following our recent post about the solar power project at the URBOND Child Education school in Koutaya, Guinea, we'd like to introduce you to the man who'll be installing it!
Dave Owens of Owen Electrical Solutions has been a Circuit Supply customer for many years. As an experienced electrician with extensive knowledge of solar installations, he's certainly got the skills for the job, but this challenge is quite unlike anything he's done before.
This Thursday Dave will be joining a team of volunteers travelling to Koutaya to install the solar power system, with the aim of having everything up and running for the Koutaya light-up event on 7 November.
The system has been designed specifically for off-grid use, with enough capacity to meet the school's current needs and room to expand as it grows. It also has the option of generator backup if needed.
With the equipment already on its way to the school, Dave expects the installation itself to take around four to five days.
So, what's his biggest concern?
Making sure he hasn't forgotten anything! With so many components involved, there's a lot to think about. And unlike working back home, there's no popping out to the van or calling into Circuit Supply if something's missing!
Thankfully, Dave has already pre-built and thoroughly tested the entire system before carefully packing everything for shipping to Guinea. He's double-checked everything and is confident he's got all he needs to get the job done.
But getting the system installed is only part of the job. Just as important is making sure the local team has the knowledge and confidence to look after it themselves. Dave will be spending time showing them how the system works, explaining routine maintenance, including keeping the panels clean, and helping them understand how to recognise faults and deal with problems. The aim is to give the team the practical skills they need to keep the power running reliably, without having to rely on outside help once Dave has returned home.
The tools generously supplied by CK Tools will also remain at the school to support ongoing maintenance.
We're incredibly grateful to Dave for giving his time and expertise to this project. It's fantastic to see one of our long-standing customers putting his skills to such good use, and we're proud to be supporting him.
Good luck, Dave! We can't wait to see Koutaya light up!