Kleinskool Community and Soup Kitchen Project – South Africa

Company:	Installed by Genergy  // In partnership with Studio D’Arc Architects
Location:	South Africa
Project Date:	2021
Main Contact:	Bethany Lafford, Executive Support Administrator
Application:	Community Trust Project
Customer Type:	Non-Profit Project
Phocos Product:	Any-Grid PSW-H Hybrid Inverter
Quantity:	1 Unit

Project Description/ Key Details

Studio D’Arc Architects on behalf of the Kleinskool Community Project Trust was kind enough to get Genergy involved to make a real impact in the Kleinskool area, including the surrounding marginalized communities.  Kleinskool is located in Nelson Mandela Bay, in the Province of Eastern Cape (EC), South Africa. Within this area, many people are not only living in poverty but there are also safety concerns, leaving some families living in fear.  It is well known this is a deserving community that needs support.  So, when Genergy was asked to assist by designing and installing an energy solution to support this worthy community, they jumped at the opportunity and got their key partners to get involved.  Many companies, including Phocos were able to provide materials so The Trust can serve, through projects guided by the fundamental and educational needs in this region.

Genergy’s team notes, “They started the Kids4Joy pre-school, which is in one of the poorest and violence riddled communities in Gqeberha. Furthermore, four times a week a soup kitchen feeds between 120 to 180 children, including several adults.” Without reliable energy, these efforts can’t realize their full potential, so sustainable energy solutions for both the pre-school and the soup kitchen where set as a new priority.  This is where Genergy and their partners got their inspiration and created a solution to support this initiative.

The primary concern of both the school and the soup kitchen was lighting, which is essential to function, and offers safety.  Beyond, the school wanted to run fans to help mitigate the heat in the container building during hot summer days, as well as avoid common break-in issues due to lack of illumination.  The soup kitchen had only one extension cord that powered their refrigerator, brought in from a neighboring home.  While they cook with gas, electricity could improve food storage options along with the opportunity to prepare food when it is dark outside. Beyond their described function these structures also act as a community center for the people living nearby.

Solution/ Results

Between Genergy, Rubicon, Hubble and Phocos, the necessary solar materials and BOS equipment was sourced, allowing Genergy to ultimately design and install the equipment required for an off-grid power solution for the school and the soup kitchen.  The installed solar system met all of the goals defined.  The 5kW PV array, with 120Ah of lithium storage provides power for daily needs, along with external lighting for security at night that also helps with safety for the neighboring properties especially during load shedding conditions when all would be left in complete darkness.  Genergy is proud of their equipment partners and is also thankful to Studio D’Arc Architects and the Kleinskool Community Project Trust for being invited to join into this important effort.  It was a great pleasure for Phocos to also be included in this worthy endeavor. This project is making a real difference for the students and this entire community.