Nowadays, energy is a BIG issue. Even more surprising, at the beginning of the 21st century some countries in this world find it a huge harness to get electricity. Sisters of Notre Dame has developped few years a go a plan to create 25-system grid of photovoltaic power panels throughout Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo that will purify water for homes, schools and medical facilities. The Sisters have called the project “The Power of the Sun.” A project Sustainable Energy Solutions have been fully involved.
A prototype site was constructed in the United States during the summer of 2005 at the Cuvilly Arts & Earth Center in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
The stations created are currently monitored professionally by SES systems experts. That is an example of solutions we provide to our custumers that happen through satellite links, which will connect each station to the internet.
According to the Sisters of Notre Dame of Namur, the strongest feature of this program is that it uses the power of the sun to provide this energy and is self-sustaining.
As it is defined on their website (http://www.sndden.org/story2.html), Photovoltaic (PV) solar cells are semiconductor devices that convert sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity. Groups of PV cells are electrically configured into modules and arrays, which charge batteries and power any number of electric loads. In the project SES is involved, each site will have 45 solar panels that will collect energy from the sun. The energy will be stored in a battery bank and disbursed from there. This system will eliminate the need for costly, and in some cases dangerous, generators.
Water is purified using a closed cylinder containing an ultraviolet light purifier which is attached to the outflow of water tanks from which schools, clinics, hospitals and residences receive water for their plumbing systems. Water is purified using 400 watts of ultraviolet light. Following this process, water is safe to drink. This will eliminate for many the daily task of boiling water.