Kokobe Electrical System Installation Estimate Goes Up 250%

I'm running into some difficulties getting the electrical system at Kokobe Primary School installed. 

In March, we received a quote of about M40,000 (US$ 4,800) from Ivan Yaholnitsky, of Bethel Business & Community Development Center (BCDC), for installation of a solar-powered electrical system at Kokobe Primary School.  The system would power 50 XO-1 laptops, a network server, and a printer.  It would consist of:

4 - 80 watt PV panels

2 - 260 Ah batteries

1 - 20 A regulator 24 volt

1 - 1200 Watt 24 Volt Victron Inverter

Wiring of classroom plugs, lights

1 -Distribution board and earthing Travel & installation

Last week, we received a revised quote of  nearly M101,000 (just over US$ 12,000), an increase of 250%.  Yikes! 

We were hoping to get the system installed in the next couple months so it would be ready when we deliver the laptops in January. But I had based my grant proposals and fundraising on the March estimate, so we are now well short of the necessary funds.

Granted, the new estimate is for a MUCH larger system (see below), but we didn't request that.  When I asked Ivan if we could install the original plan instead, he snipped that I should go to someone else.  However, finding someone else, especially on somewhat short notice, who will work in the remote Ketane area may be very difficult.

At this point, I'm not sure what is going to happen.

- Janissa


October proposed system:

Wiring of Classroom Block

4 - PV Panels  140 watt

4 - Batteries 260 Ah

Victron Inverter 3KW

Regulator 40-60 Ah

120 amp DC isolator/breaker

2 - 60 amp DC isolator/breaker

PV Junction Box

4 - 120 amp copper cabling

18 - 40 amp copper cabling

Panel box for isolator/breakers

Battery case/stack

2 - Lightening Protection

Earthing kit for modules

Consumables

Transportation

Array frame and mounting

Customs clearance of equip

 

Local Project Leader Meets with Foundation Representative

Project Leader Matlabe Teba met with the representative of one of our major funders (who prefers to remain anonymous) on Tuesday in Mohale's Hoek, Lesotho, to discuss the status of the project and a possible grant proposal for expanding the solar electricity at Nohana Primary School.  This expansion is needed for the 50 Dell laptops donated by Pueblo West High School in Colorado.

They also met with Ivan Yaholnitsky, of Bethel Business & Community Development Center, who installed the solar power at Nohana Primary School in 2011, to discuss details and costs of the electrical system.  His estimate for this system expansion is M108,000 (about $12,500).

I haven't heard any details yet, but from Matlabe's email, it sounds like the meeting went very well, and the foundation representative is interested in the grant proposal.

- Janissa


 

Solar Power System has been Completed ~ YEA!

From: Ivan Yaholnitsky

Yesterday we installed your solar system at Ketane for charging the laptops.  We installed 4 x 80 watt panels, a 20 amp reg, 1200 watt pure sine wave inverter, and 2 x 260 ah batteries.  DC is 24v, and there is a DB for the AC.  You can later wire up the classroom to have some plugs and lights or just use extension cords for a TV and so on.

I am sorry it took so long, but the road through Phamong is not serving us.  I will follow with an updated invoice, and if you can add something, I will appreciate it. 

Ivan