Confirm Readiness with Solar Village Project

Once your funding has been approved and payment confirmed, a formal kickoff call will be scheduled by Solar Village Project. This meeting aligns timelines, roles, and expectations. You will review the approved budget, confirm the 2 kW system scope, and agree on an installation window.

Appoint a school focal person responsible for coordinating site access, documentation, and communication. Clear internal ownership reduces delays and ensures smooth collaboration.

During this stage, Solar Village Project will assess rooftop suitability. The roof should be structurally sound, free from significant shading, and capable of safely supporting solar panels. The technical team will evaluate orientation, tilt angle, and mounting approach to optimise energy production.

Before moving forward, communicate clearly with teachers and school staff about what to expect during installation week. Early preparation reduces disruption and builds enthusiasm for the project.

Prepare the Roof  and Infrastructure

Before installation begins, ensure roof access is clear and safe. Remove debris, confirm ladder access, and verify there are no structural weaknesses. If minor repairs are needed, complete them before panel mounting.

Provide access to the school’s electrical distribution board. Solar Village Project, working with a licensed electrician, will inspect wiring and identify whether essential circuits need separation from non-essential loads. This step ensures battery backup powers priority classroom functions during outages.

Address any required wiring upgrades promptly to avoid delays. Safe, compliant electrical infrastructure ensures long-term reliability and protects equipment lifespan.

Inform students and staff about temporary safety restrictions around installation areas. Clear safety messaging supports a smooth process.

Installation and Quality Assurance

Solar Village Project will procure the system components and lead installation. This includes secure panel mounting, inverter and battery setup, and integration with designated essential circuits.

During installation, your role is to ensure site access and oversight. Confirm that panels are securely mounted, wiring is protected, and battery units are placed in a ventilated and secure location.

Before handover, Solar Village Project will conduct commissioning tests. These include measuring panel output, testing inverter functionality, verifying battery charge cycles, and simulating a power outage to confirm essential loads remain active.

Request documentation at this stage, including compliance certificates and basic system specifications. Keep these records safely for reporting and future maintenance.

Staff Training and System Handover

After successful commissioning, organise a practical training session for school staff. Solar Village Project will demonstrate how the system operates, how to read inverter indicators, and how to recognise warning signals.

Designate two staff members as system champions. They will monitor performance and act as the first contact for any issues. This ensures continuity even if one staff member is absent.

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

Agree on a basic maintenance routine, including periodic roof visual checks and panel cleaning when safe to do so. Solar Village Project will provide ongoing support during the 12-month maintenance period.

Celebrate the installation with a short school announcement or assembly to build pride and collective responsibility.

Monitor Performance and Sustain Impact

Over the first year, track how the system performs during outages. Keep a simple log noting when power cuts occur and whether classrooms remain functional. This data strengthens accountability and impact reporting.

Encourage teachers to document improvements in lesson continuity, digital tool usage, and classroom comfort. Real examples help demonstrate educational impact to stakeholders.

If you notice reduced performance, shading, or warning signals on the inverter, contact Solar Village Project early. Quick response prevents long-term damage and ensures system reliability.

Plan for long-term sustainability by discussing battery lifespan and eventual replacement needs. Begin exploring future funding options if expansion or replication is desired.

After 6–12 months, hold a reflection meeting with staff to review lessons learned and consider whether additional schools in your network could benefit from similar installations. Strong documentation and stewardship position your school as a model for replication.