LONGi and the Sopowerful Foundation have announced the launch of a solar power system in the township of Linthipe, in Malawi’s Dedza region, with the country’s Minister for Energy, Ibrahim Matola, and its Deputy Minister for Education, Nancy Chaola Mdooko, both attending the inauguration ceremony.
Dzenza CDSS, a secondary school with 230 students, is now powered by a 9kW solar installation. Electricity at the school will enable the use of teaching equipment, cooking facilities and lessons in the afternoon and evening, providing students with better opportunities to study and prepare for examinations. At present, 80% of Malawi’s schools have no access to power via the grid or other sources, resulting in significant restrictions on teaching hours for many primary and secondary school pupils.
Sopowerful has already established 16 projects in the country, complementing the government’s ongoing commitment to supply energy to under-served rural areas, with LONGi partnering with the organisation by donating solar panels for this and future projects.
Minister Matola commented: ‘I thank Sopowerful for its gesture, which supports the government’s commitment to ensuring that every person in the country has access to electricity. Most of our schools in rural areas are located far from the Escom power line, making it difficult for them to be connected. That is why interventions like this deserve much applause.’
Andrew Tyler, Area Sales Manager for LONGi, added: ‘As one of the world’s leading solar panel manufacturers with a growing presence on the African continent, it’s a pleasure for us to be able to contribute to high-impact projects like this. Education is key and we are proud to support it here at Dzenza school.’
Stefano Cruccu, Director of the Sopowerful Foundation, concluded: ‘We’re thankful to our partners for accompanying us on our journey to implement solar where it matters most, just like here at Dzenza school. It has been a joy to celebrate this development together with the school, the community and our guests of honour.’