28.04.2024
Matthew Matimbwi supported the planning and implementation of
the project to provide hot water and sustainable electricity for lighting to
the girls of Emmaberg Girls High School in Makambako, Njombe, Tanzania
The
project intervened in the challenges of unreliable water supply, unavailability
of hot water for showers and unavailability of lights in the dormitories when
the national grid electricity failed. The project was realized in the
partnership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania-Southern Diocese (ELCT-SD)
and SchuPa Tansania e.V The project was financed by SchuPa and Bavaria State
Chancellery of Germany.
The
school had been experiencing unreliable and costly water supply. The water was
being pumped from a borehole using national grid electricity. The school
experiences frequent, long and uninformed power outages. When there was a power
cut, students had to collect water from the river which is also used by cattle.
The water caused skin and abdominal diseases. Urinary tract infections (UTI)
cases were common. The food preparation in the kitchen was being delayed due to
the untimely delivery of water. In the evening, students had to stay in the
darkness in the dormitories.
The school is located in a cold region. During the winter, the temperature goes down to 4 Celsius Degree. Since it was expensive to heat shower water using electricity or firewood, most of the girls avoided showers for up to a month.
The
partners developed a project “Warm Water for the Female High School Students of
Emmaberg Girls’ School, Tanzania”. The project results were as follows.
a) Project
Outputs
The
immediate results of the project were as follows.
i) The new 4m high water tower
was constructed.
ii) Water tank capacity increased
from 10m3 to 30m3.
iii) Solar PV plant 7.2kW replaced
national grid at 100% for water pump.
iv) Water efficient use and energy
management devices (pump dry-run sensor and tank-overflow controls)
installed in the water system.
v) 2 solar water heaters for showers 1,500 litres and 2,700 litres installed.
vi) 2 solar photovoltaic systems 0.9kWp and 1.8kWp for dormitories lighting
installed.
vii) 10 teachers trained in solar
systems maintenance.
viii) 200 students sensitized on
renewable energy and best practices of using solar systems and 15 students trained for the
Students’ Solar Service Team.
b) Project
Outcomes
The
intermediate results of the project are as follows.
i) Water supply is efficient,
reliable, clean and uninterrupted.
ii) The school is not spending
money on water pumping electricity bills.
iii) Girls access hot water for
showering.
iv) Girls have reliable and free
electricity for lighting in the dormitories.
v) The school has got solar
maintenance team in place.
vi) Students are aware of the
potential of renewable energy.
vii) The school has a solar service
team, and
viii) The number of girls enrolment
is increasing.
c) Project Impacts
The
expected long-term project results are as follows.
i) Girls’ academic performance
increased.
ii) Girls live healthy.
iii) School enrolment increased to
the maximum capacity.
iv) The school contributed to the
climate change trend reverse by avoiding the
22,378 KgCO2eq/year
through using water heaters, and 445,442 KgCO2eq/year,
for pumping water using solar photovoltaics.
v) School financially stable.
Girls witnessed a change in their quality of life as a result of
the project. The following were the witnesses of the girls.
i) Hygiene has increased as girls
have chances to take showers at a minimum of
two times a day.
ii) UTI and abdominal diseases
have diminished as water is safe.
iii) Time for study has increased
due to avoidance of duties of boiling shower water
and fetching water from
the river.
Further, students are aware of the potential of renewable energy in ensuring sustainable development. Students are also aware that cutting bills of electricity for pumping water and lighting for dormitories to zero, will stabilize the school fees.
A project of this kind is the first one in size in Tanzania, supplying a minimum of 4,200 litres of hot water for showers for the academic institution, to be implemented in mainland Tanzania.
Tumaini Lutheran Seminary (TLS) in Malinyi, Morogoro Region, which is owned by the Evangelical Lutheran Church-Tanzania, Ulanga Kilombero Diocese, offers secondary school education and Bible knowledge training. Secondary School has a high level of Form IV. It has already educated youth who are now serving the nations, to mention a few sectors: religion, engineering, medicine and financing. The Bible School trains Evangelists who are sent out to serve parishes. TLS is connected to the national grid.
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On the 12th of August 2023, Rotary Club-Airport Munich commissioned two solar photovoltaic systems at Tumaini Lutheran Seminary. The decision to install solar photovoltaic solar systems came after TANESCO failed to supply stable and reliable electricity. The first solar photovoltaic system [Modules 6.6kWp; MPPT Controller 250/85; Battery 1360Ah/48V; and Inverter-Charger 8kVA/48] powers the administration block, dining hall and internet computer laboratory. The second solar photovoltaic system [Modules 3.3kWp; Controller 60A/12-48V; Battery 600Ah/48V; and Inverter-Charger 5kVA/48V] powers 2 laboratories and 6 classrooms.
In addition to the installation of solar photovoltaic systems, Rotary Club-Airport Munich installed 10 ports of the Internet computer library to enable students to access the updated learning materials.
Thanks to German Friends of URBIS Foundation that had extended their financial contribution to the program. The training was implemented by Matthew Matimbwi
Matthew Matimbwi through Tanzania Renewable Energy Association (TAREA) and Italian partner Microfinanza and project Solar Finance4All, has implemented a solar revolving fund in Malinyi. 420 families benefited from the program. 14 VICOBAs from the villages of: Malinyi; Kipingo; Makerere; Mchangani and Lugala benefited through the program.
10-14 December, 2018
Matthew Matimbwi trained 5 solar artisans in installation and maintenance in Ifakara. The activity was the part of project of installing 14.5kW solar power backup system at Mahenge District Hospital. The training attracted participants from: Ulanga District Council; Evangelical Church-Ulanga Kilombero Diocese; Edgar Maranta School of Nursing; and Congregation of Franciscan Sisters of Charity.
Thanks for the financial support from UNDP and SolidarMed.
October, 2018 to January, 2019
Matthew Matimbwi is working with Catholic Diocese of Mahenge to install solar systems at the secondary schools in Malinyi. The cooperation will benefit schools of St. Piu Secondary School and VITIRA Secondary School.
St. Piu Secondary School is already installed with 1.2kW solar system. The in January, 2019 VITIRA Secondary School will be installed with solar system of the same capacity.
The availability of electricity will enable students to pursue science subjects and have extra hours of learning in the evening.
October, 2018
Matthew Matimbwi through TAREA mobilized a support of installing 900kW solar photovoltaic system at Kipingo Secondary School to supply electricity to the girls' dormitory. The solar system was installed by local artisans of AMBASE Solar Technicians Group.
Electricity will provide light improving living and learning environments to the girls. Thanks to the support of URBIS Foundation of Munich, Germany.
January to December, 2018
Eng. Matthew Josephat Matimbwi through Tanzania Renewable Energy Association (TAREA) and Associazione Microfinanza E Sviluppo Onlus (AMS)-Italy with financial support from Waldensian Evangelical Church-Italy and The Autonomous Province of Trento-Italy provided solar lights and connected community of Malinyi to the internet using solar photovoltaic technology.
The activities that have been realized in Malinyi are providing solar lights to Malinyi Bus Stand and Market Place, supplying solar electricity to Malinyi and Kipingo Secondary Schools, connecting to the internet Malinyi Teachers' Resource Centre (5 computers and solar photovoltaic system), provision of chairs to the primary schools of: Malinyi; Nawigo; and Makugira and training of 5 young people in solar photovoltaic technology installation and maintenance.
Installation of solar street light at bus stand
The solar street lights at Malinyi bus stand increased security to the passengers that spend overnight waiting for travelling, increased hygiene as there was a practice of urinating around in the night and increased the quality of business environment to the women food vendors.
Market solar lights
Market solar lights provide opportunity of increased working hours at the marketplace to 2 hours beyond the sunset; increased security of products left overnight at the market; and hygiene.
Solar photovoltaic systems at Kipingo and Malinyi secondary schools
Solar systems at the schools have contributed to the increase of the school performance as students can have opportunity of learning in the extended time in the evening and there is increased security around the school environment.
Internet for teachers' resource centre
Solar plant installed to supply electricity to five desk top computers and internet modem provides access to the teachers accessing information online. It will help teachers increase their knowledge and enable fast communication.
Chairs to 3 primary schools
84 chairs have been distributed to the 3 primary schools of Makugira, Malinyi and Nawigo. The chairs were provided to reduce the deficit of school chairs that existed in the village of Malinyi.
Solar lights for the households
Malinyi is connected to national grid. It is the fact that not all households are able to connect to the grid. Even those who are able to connect to the national grid are not yet connected. Project enables those families not yet connected, through VICOBA, to replace kerosene lanterns to improve the living environment and provide possibility of children studying at home in the evening.
The above achievement had been realized in the period of 2014-2017.
New project Finance 4 Sustainable Energy has been launched for the period of 2018-2020
Realizing Zanzibar RE & EE Program-Training Component
Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar has received the financial support to implement the program of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. The aim of the project is to increase the independence of Zanzibar in accessing modern energy and increasing efficient energy use through the harnessing sources of renewable energy mainly solar and wind.
- Training on the basics of solar PV, wind technologies and energy efficiency to the local authorities planners and decision makers
- Study tour and mentor in Tanzania Mainland
- Study tour and mentor in Kigali, Rwanda
- Economic benefits of employing renewable energy technologies in businesses
- Training of public and private solar technicians on the solar photovoltaic technology including street light maintenance
- Training of vocational trainers on solar photovoltaic technology
- Training on renewable energy tariff modules and management of PPA
- Training on the renewable energy agreements negotiation skills and contracting
- Training on assessing developer proposals of wind and solar photovoltaic technologies
Lutheran Church Diocese of Ulanga-Kilombero owns Tanganyika Masagati Dispensary that is cared by Lugala Lutheran District Designated Hospital. Tanganyika Masagati Dispensary is located in Kilombero District, Morogoro region in Tanzania. It is in the off-grid remote area, 70km from the possible grid connection point. The dispensary did not have electricity as economy of the customers could not enable the use of petrol generator.
In November, 2016, with support from Power4Africa (Germany), Solarworld (Germany) and USAID, dispensary was installed with solar photovoltaic system of 1.7kW.
Solar photovoltaic system at Tanganyika Masagati supplies electricity to the medical service building and 3 staff houses. Members of staff are no longer feeling isolated as they can watch televisions and have reliable and safe light. Dispensary has improved its service as it can use electronic equipment for diagnosis.
Eng. Matimbwi supported the process of planning and fund raising.
Solar PV Powering Library at Lugala Nursing School
SolidarMed, a Swiss NGO supporting health service at Lugala Lutheran Hospital, has financed upgrade of Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System installed at Lugala Nursing School that is powering electronic library. The first installed Solar PV was of the capacity 0.98kW. The system has been upgraded to the solar generator of the capacity 1.96kW. Other parts installed were Surrette deep cycle batteries 210Ah/12V*8, Charge controllers with meters 45A/12-48Vdc*2, and pure Sine Wave charger/inverter 2000VA/12Vdc/230Vac.
The Solar PV System is an off-grid powering 25 workstations in the library. Students can access internet without interruption. The Solar Photovoltaic System was commissioned in May, 2016.
Eng. Matthew Matimbwi supported with planning, design, implementation of sustainability strategies and verification of the technical specifications.
06 March, 2016
City of Potsdam, Germany, supported Zanzibar Municipality to install solar street lights along Nyerere Road to lighten a part of Mnazi Moja Garden. The aim of installing the solar street lights was to improve the security of people who visit the referal hospital of Mnazi Moja.
Eng. Matthew Matimbwi played the roles of system planning, design, finance planning, contractor procurement and verification of the conformation to the technical specifications.
System specifications: Solar photovoltaic generator 2.4kW, Sine wave inverter 1.2kVA, Charge controller T45 45A 24V*3, battery bank 210Ah/12V*8, 13 LED lights with photo switch.
3.36kW Solar PV at Edgar Maranta School of Nursing-Ifakara
15 December, 2015
Edgar Maranta School of Nursing that is owned by Catholic Diocese of Ifakara is connected to the national grid. The power supply from the national grid is not reliable. The learning process at the school was being interrupted as the grid went off often.
School opted to install solar photovoltaic system to ensure stable supply of electricity. In order to increase efficient use of energy, the conventional tube lights and bulbs were replaced by energy saving lamps.
Eng. Matthew Matimbwi supported the process of developing the solar system through planning, designing and developing proposal. Fund raising was done by the School Principal through Diocesan Bishop. At last, Eng. Matimbwi supported the project with verification of the contractor to the conformation of the technical specifications. The system was commissioned in December, 2015.
The solar photovoltaic system was installed through a financial support from BEGECA.
The project has ensured availability of electricity and increased energy use efficiency. The cost of electricity bills from national utility has decreased.
Speaking at the International Conference 4th Global Off-Grid Lighting Conference, Dubai
26-29 October, 2015Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) with which Eng. Matimbwi cooperates, conducted International Off-Grid Lighting Conference in Dubai in United Arabs of Emirates (UAE).
The conference was called to network solar off-grid lighting actors and discuss various subjects aiming at scaling up access to the off-grid lighting technologies.
Mnazi Mmoja Garden Zanzibar Solar Street Lights
Solar project at Malinyi Village
The project "Solar promotion at Malinyi Village, Tanzania" was implemented. The project was financially supported by Waldensian Evangelical Church-Italy through Associazione Microfinanza E. Sviluppo Onlus-Italy.
USAID TUNAJALI Program
USAID TUNAJALI Program has a plan to install solar system to the additional 7 health facilities.
The work has brought impacts of improving quality of the medical service and staff retention.
Installation of solar photovoltaic systems at Mkomaindo District Hospital
October, 2002 to December, 2014
By the year 2002 Lugala Lutheran Hospital was powered by solar photovoltaic system 1.5kW and old diesel generators. The electricity supply was not reliable and costly.
The planning was done to scale up the solar photovoltaic system and install new fuel efficient diesel generators.
The work resulted scaling up solar photovoltaic systems to 8.5kW supplying electricity for the water pumping, hospital equipment and nursing school. 2 new diesel generators each 45kVA were installed increasing efficiency in the diesel fuel use.
Solar Photovoltaic System for Sisters of Diocese of Mahenge
Congregation of the sisters of Diocese of Mahenge, Franciscan Sisters of Charity (FSC) has a service station in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, called St. Pio House. The house experienced the problem of power outage from the grid and high operating costs of electricity due to having installation of light of low energy efficiency.
The project was implemented to install solar photovoltaic power backup system 540kW and replacement of tube lights by energy saving lights. Finance was contributed by Missionszentrale Franziskaner.
Other solar systems were installed at St. Klara Convent (lighting), Bennignis Centre (lighting for the girls' dormitories), Mtimbira Sisters' Convent and Priesterium, Biro Sisters' Convent, Sofi Pre-Seminary, Sali Pristerium and Convent, Ruaha Parish Dispensary and Mofu Pristerium-Dispensary-Convent.
Solar Photovoltaic System for Mbingu Health Centre
January, 2012-December, 2012
Impact study of solar photovoltaic systems in Mbinga and Tunduru Districts
July-August, 2012Ensol Tanzania Ltd installed solar photovoltaic systems at 40 dispensaries in Tunduru and Mbinga districts in Ruvuma region, Tanzania.
The impact study was conducted after a year of operation. It was found that the availability of electricity increased the quality of service and service availability. It further saved economy of families as they have no responsibility of purchasing kerosene when they go the to the dispensary in the night.
Training on solar food drying in Malinyi
January - December, 2007
