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A boost for rural schools in Buenos Aires Province with solar energy

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A boost for rural schools in Buenos Aires Province with solar energy

With climate change being one of the greatest threats of our time, the adoption of renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly essential. In this context, Buenos Aires Province in Argentina has taken the lead with an innovative project that promises to make a significant impact.

The Ministry of the Environment has approved an initiative involving the installation of solar energy systems in 22 rural schools. This project represents a major step towards a more sustainable energy transition, providing access to clean and affordable energy sources in areas with limited resources, also addressing energy vulnerability.

Mapa escoles buenos aires
Map of rural schools in Buenos Aires Province

Behind this project lies extensive technical work carried out by the Provincial Directorate of Ecological Transition. This entity has made a significant effort to identify schools that either lack access to an electrical grid or require modernization and maintenance, highlighting the need to improve energy access, particularly in rural schools.

Our engineering team, including experts such as Chloé Coral and Jordi Monge, has played a crucial role in this process. During their mission in Buenos Aires, they visited the area to assess the specific electrical needs of each school, ensuring that the adopted solution is the most suitable for each case.

The first phase of this initiative involved a detailed evaluation of the electrical systems in each school to determine the necessary actions. Many of these schools already had photovoltaic panels, but the assessment revealed a clear lack of maintenance and the poor functioning of most solar installations.

Pila14 nens jugant
Pila14 nens jugant

School No. 14 in Pila

Subsequently, in a second phase, the necessary installations and repairs were carried out to ensure a proper electrical system based on clean energy use. This effort will not only improve the quality of education in these schools but will also contribute to a more sustainable future for the community as a whole.

This initiative also highlights the importance of inclusive environmentalism, a concept that seeks to combine environmental protection with social and economic equity. It is a model that could be replicated in other regions and countries, setting an important precedent in the fight against climate change and social inequality.

This approach is particularly relevant for rural schools, which, due to their remote locations away from urban areas, face unique and significant challenges.

The rural schools in Buenos Aires Province, often situated in remote and difficult-to-access areas, face numerous challenges beyond education itself. In many cases, logistical difficulties such as poor road conditions or long distances make student transportation a challenge, especially during bad weather. These conditions can limit regular access to education for many children, increasing inequality in educational opportunities.

One of the most significant challenges is the lack of basic infrastructure, including access to quality energy.

This deficiency not only affects the school’s ability to provide quality education (for example, through adequate lighting or the use of educational technologies) but also impacts the daily lives and well-being of students and staff.

For this reason, we believe that the renovation of the existing solar installations will represent a qualitative leap in energy generation, which will, in turn, improve the quality of these educational centers.

Discover more projects like this at https://azimut360.coop/projectes-energia-solar/.


Completion of the Second Phase of the Solar Energy Project at the Casa do Gaiato Farm in Mozambique

Completion of the Second Phase of the Solar Energy Project at the Casa do Gaiato Farm in Mozambique

The solar energy project for the Fazenda de Casa do Gaiato area has culminated in an on-ground photovoltaic installation that provides the agricultural area managed by the host house with an affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity supply. It is now fully operational.

The main objective of the project was to solve the problems arising from the grid electricity supply, which was of low quality, expensive and unreliable. The photovoltaic solar installation now powers the water pumping system, the chicken coop and the lighting of the agricultural area, significantly reducing the organization’s electricity bill and allowing reinvestment in new activities and projects for the benefit of the community.

Casa do Gaiato, located on the outskirts of the village of Massaca, in the district of Boane, Maputo province, has been a pillar of social support for the surrounding rural communities for more than 30 years. This organisation provides food, healthcare, education and vocational support to children without families, as well as primary and secondary education.

La instal·lació del sistema solar fotovoltaic ha estat realitzada amb èxit. Podeu consultar les dades a la fitxa de projecte. (link) Això ha permès a Casa do Gaiato ser més autosuficient pel que fa al subministrament elèctric i estalviar diners per finançar altres activitats de la fazenda.

Beneficis Assolits

  1. Estalvi Econòmic: Hem aconseguit una reducció significativa dels costos d’electricitat, permetent un ràpid retorn de la inversió.
  2. Sostenibilitat Ambiental: S’ha reduït l’ús de combustibles fòssils i les emissions de CO2.
  3. Millora de la Productivitat: Les activitats agrícoles són ara més rendibles gràcies a una font d’energia fiable.
  4. Impacte Social: Les condicions de vida dels nens/es, treballadors/es i famílies associades a Casa do Gaiato esperem que millorin notablement.

directora-casa-do-gaiato_azimut360
Quiteria Protasio Director Casa do Gaiato

In addition to the installation of the system, practical training has been provided to Casa do Gaiato workers to ensure the long-term sustainability of the system. With these trainings we hope to increase the local capacity of the maintenance of the facilities in order to optimize the energy produced.

We are very satisfied with the results of this second phase of the project. Casa do Gaiato can now carry out all its agricultural and economic activities without interruptions or large expenditures on fossil fuels. This success not only benefits the organization, but also contributes to a more sustainable and equitable future for the entire community.

For this reason, we want to thank all those who have participated and collaborated in this project. To our team formed by Chloé for the coordination and Jordi who is already one more “gaiato”!

       

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