The solar installation is done! The Mahila Fader Girls' Hostel has a fully operational 6.6 kW solar system with 22 kWh energy storage. This powers the entire two-story, 12 bedroom building. The 25 girls who live here will now have light at night, heated rooms and hot water- relaying less of firewood. They can charge cell phones and computers in their own home instead of relying on electricity at school or community center.
This trip has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. I’ve learned how to drill rail, crimp wire, mix cement and connect batteries in series. From eating new foods, meeting the girls who live here and watching farmers at work, so much insight is gained. It’s incredible how strength grows from simplicity. How beautifully interconnected humans can live with nature, her daily rhythms, and to each other. Just breathing the pristine air of Nepal’s northwestern mountains is a gift.
East facing view of the village resting at 10K ft. See Shravan (volunteer) walking in the left lower corner and the Karnali River to the right corner.
Here I want to share the day-to-day highlights of the install, and show-off the incredible Team that was supported by all your donations.
The Equipment:
Here are the system specs for those that wanna geek out- Modules = (12) Jinko, JKM550M-72HL4-V, 550W, 13.45 Imp, 40.9 Vmp (these panels are huge!) Inverter = (1) Victron Energy, MultiPlus-II 10000VA 230V, 10000W, 100A, 230VAC Batteries = (12) HBL Optimuz, Opti 150, 150Ah, 12V
The Project Team:
The volunteers, recruited by Grid Alternatives, included myself and two other Americans who work in the solar industry: Anna from LA is a Solar Designer and Shravan from Denver is a Field Manager.
The marigolds are a way of signifying celebration, honor and gratitude, and the red tika symbolizes abundance and prosperous blessings.
Ohm Energy Nepal was our technical lead- a young Nepalese solar startup based in Kathmandu. Arjun and Sangard- these guys designed the system, ordered all the equipment, managed the wiring and battery installation, and trained the volunteers on all things from stripping wire to cutting racking.
The Nepalaese non-profit, Bighnaharta Nepal, partnered with Grid Alternatives to coordinate and facilitate the entire project. This organization is run by three passionate activists- Gomesh, Raziya, and Ankita. They were my guardians and mentors. My translators and body guards (that Mt. Goat!). They took us on tours and engaged us with the local community. They made sure we were well fed and comfortable in our beds. They overcame logistical obstacles and kept the whole project moving. I am so lucky to get to know such a powerhouse that is bettering the world.
The Work Site:
25 girls, ages 10-16 years old, currently live at this Hostel. Here are a few of them who just returned from elementary school volleyball and track practice. Playing sports is one of their most favorite things to do together. Many of them aspire to be nurses.
Kamila is the Facility Warden and has worked here for 20 years. She was a resident of the Girls’ Hostel as a teenager. Her daughter is currently studying culinary arts in Australia. Kamila was so kind and hospitable- showering us with hugs, milk tea and parle biscuits. Yum.
The Hostel is a government-owned building that’s over 40 years old and has had minimal upgrades until now. Vegetable gardens, apple trees, and chickens cover the property. This is a view looking at the Hostel from the upper garden where the solar ground mounts were set.
Until now, the girls had only this solar reflector to heat up water. It takes about two hours of morning sunlight for the kettle to start boiling.
The Install- Day 1:
This was a big day. We arrived by plane to Simikot village and visited the work site, met Kamila and other project stakeholders.
We started working after lunch, which began with digging a three ft deep trench for the conduit that stretched about 30 ft long across the top garden to the battery bank. We dug sixteen four ft deep holes for the ground mount footing.
We also began the preparation of the battery mount and shelter. This is the outside of the tool shed now converted into a battery house:
The battery rack was built and all twelve 12 volt batteries were put in place, ready to be wired up.
The Install - Day 2:
Building the racking. It is common in the US that rails are delivered already pre-drilled and cut. Here, the racking was all one length and with no holes. Arjun from Ohm Energy Nepal measured and numbered all the rails and marked where each of the bolt holes needed to be drilled. He basically engineered the ground mount right on site.
And so we drill.... hundreds of holes.
And built the structure, loosely bolting together to make tighter adjustments once the panels were set on top.
We positioned the footing. One group made the cement and filled the holes while another group bolted on the solar modules. It was important to allow the cement to dry overnight before adding the next layer of blocking the following day.
We had a giant lunch of delicious dal bhat (lentil curry, saag, pickle veggies and rice) everyday.
The Install- Day 3:
We laid conduit from the panels to the battery bank to the inverter and service panel. Grounding rods were set. We reinforced the footing with more cement blocking. We buried conduit.
It was difficult to fish wire through 40 ft of conduit- but with a lot of hands we made it work!
The conduit trench is buried and the cement block feet are drying!
Arjun and Anna finishing up the wiring of the battery bank to the combiner box, charge controllers and inverter.
The Install - Day 4:
Ohm Energy finishes up the connection and turns the system ON
Here is the cable run from the battery shed to the building main service panel.
We clean up the site before the handover ceremony to the girls and government officials.
The handover ceremony was so heartfelt. I especially loved hearing the girls express to us and governing officials how independent, renewable electricity is one important cog in a greater infrastructure. The girls expressed need for reliable access to water and at-home security/safety. We walked away knowing that solar is not a singular solution to improving lives. This project was one more empowering step in the right and I'm thankful to be a part of it. There is still more work to be done. Until next time, Bighnaharta, Ohm Energy and Simikot- dhanybaad!