Tanaka Chare
The transition to a 300kva solar plant has enabled Midlands Christian Group of Schools to have a power surplus.
The school is turning to net metering billing which credits solar systems owners with electricity they add to the grid.
The Principal Director, Pastor Daniel Pswarai gave an insight on how the school is supplying more power that it requires.
” The digital system makes the process very convenient, as we are able to monitor the statistics of how much power we are generating and consuming with just a click of a button using our mobile phones. The inventor room is remote controlled as well. We are generating 227 660W, our consumption is 213 033W meaning we are producing more than we require. From net metering we generate 1111kW. “
Pastor Pswarai highlighted the biggest problem they were facing as a school before the transition to solar energy.
” l’m glad that the financial viability with the help of partners has become a reality. Before we the project, we would pay close to a quarter of a US$ million on electricity bill which was a lot of money.”
He went on to outline the five factors they considered for the project.
” We looked at five factors and the benefits they would bring to the school. Firstly, it was scalability, we needed to come up with something that would accommodate our ever growing power needs. As a school we run projects where we can produce our food. Hence, we produce vegetables, hatch eggs, rear chickens, bread and confectionery. Moreover, for our students to look representable, they need a laundry facility that works.”
” Secondly, it was suitability meaning we needed a commercial and robust solution, thirdly it was performance, we needed a solution that would guarantee uninterrupted power supply, followed by quality, our system is backed with all the necessary warrantees and lastly, viability we have to be viable and as a school we are internationally accredited to inspire those within and outside,” he added.
MCGS is in the process of supplying electricity to ZESA grids and neighboring households.
