Connecting with Solar Village Project

Once your funding is approved and payment confirmed, a kickoff meeting will be scheduled by Solar Village Project. This session clarifies timelines, confirms system specifications, and aligns expectations. You will review the approved 2 kW system design and confirm which critical loads will be prioritised.

Designate a facility focal person to coordinate with the technical team. This person ensures access to the site, electrical room, and decision-makers. Clear ownership avoids delays and confusion.

Solar Village Project will assess rooftop suitability. The roof must be structurally sound, free from excessive shading, and capable of supporting panel mounting safely. The team will evaluate orientation and tilt to maximise energy generation.

Communicate clearly with staff and community users about installation timelines. Early transparency builds trust and reduces service disruption during installation.

Prepare Site and Electrical Systems

Before installation, ensure safe and clear roof access. Remove debris and address any minor structural repairs in advance. Confirm waterproofing integrity to avoid future leakage risks.

Provide access to the facility’s electrical distribution board. Solar Village Project, together with a licensed electrician, will assess wiring and determine whether essential circuits must be separated from non-essential loads. This ensures battery backup powers priority services during outages.

If minor wiring improvements are required, complete them promptly to maintain installation timelines and safety standards.

Inform staff and facility users about temporary safety zones during installation. Clear communication reduces risk and keeps operations organised.

Installation and Commissioning

Solar Village Project will manage procurement and conduct the roof-mounted installation. This includes secure panel mounting, inverter and battery placement, and integration with designated essential circuits.

Your role during this stage is to ensure site access and provide oversight. Confirm that mounting structures are secure, wiring is protected, and battery storage is installed in a ventilated and secure location.

Before handover, the system will undergo commissioning tests. These include verifying panel output, inverter operation, battery charge cycles, and simulating a grid outage to ensure essential services remain powered.

Request and safely store compliance documentation and technical specifications. These records support accountability and future maintenance.

Staff Training and Operational Handover

After commissioning, organise a hands-on training session for facility staff. Solar Village Project will demonstrate how to monitor system indicators, identify warning signals, and respond appropriately.

Assign two staff members as system stewards responsible for routine observation and communication with the technical partner. Shared responsibility ensures continuity.

Clarify system limits. The installation is designed for essential loads only. Reinforce which appliances must remain off the backup system to prevent overloading.

Agree on a simple maintenance plan, including periodic panel cleaning and visual inspections. Solar Village Project will provide support during the 12-month operations and maintenance period.

Mark the installation with a small community announcement to reinforce shared ownership and accountability.

Monitor Impact and Plan Ahead

Track system performance over the first year. Maintain a simple log of grid outages and how the solar system responded. Monitoring demonstrates reliability and strengthens reporting to funders.

Document tangible improvements such as uninterrupted clinic services, extended operating hours, improved safety, or reduced fuel expenses. Concrete examples help attract support for replication.

If performance declines or warning signals appear, contact Solar Village Project promptly. Early intervention protects equipment lifespan.

Plan for long-term sustainability by discussing battery replacement timelines and exploring small savings strategies or future funding options.

After 6–12 months, hold a reflection meeting with facility leadership and staff. Review lessons learned and assess opportunities to expand to additional community facilities. Strong documentation and stewardship position your facility as a scalable model for reliable community energy access.