From 4 to 15 October 2010, PCPM team completed the installation of solar lighting systems in the following facilities in four locations in South Sudan's Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State (Aweil Town, Malualkon, Mabil and Malualbai):

142 houses in Malualkon and Aweil Town	Two Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs): delivery rooms, laboratory, in-patient department, pharmacy
Common areas in Malualkon (market)	One school and one vocational training center

The map below shows the exact location (GPS data) of 75% of the solar systems installed, including 60% of houses that received solar lighting systems. Each symbol on the map shows also the beneficiary data, installation date and other information. The map is scrollable and can be zoomed so that individual houses can be seen. Nevertheless, the satellite photo used in this map is dated and therefore does not include many new houses and buildings, particularly in the vicinity of Aweil Town that has grown considerably in the recent years.

View PCPM NBEG project 2010 in a larger map

Background to the project

While South Sudan has developed greatly in the recent years, vast majority of its small towns and villages has either no electricity, or electrical power is limited to these wealthy few who can afford a generator. The country has little in terms of power plans and power lines, while running generators on diesel or petrol is very costly. As a result, vast majority of rural homes in South Sudan are dark at night, with the only source of light being hand-held pocketlights (torches). Even the main market streets are dark at night, which limits the economic opportunities and is directly linked to numerous traffic accidents involving the pedestrians. Lack of proper lighting means that for many people their daily life shortly after the sunset. Only during the full moon people can stay up long at night, meeting and partying in the moonlight.

Solar lighting may be an answer to the challenge of providing electrical power to South Sudan. Solar lighting is low-cost, with the only major cost being purchase and installation of equipment. Otherwise, it is cost- and maintenance-free, with the modern batteries and LED lights capable of operating for 3-10 years before they need to be replaced. Installing solar lighting at homes and along main markets streets will bring a big change to the community, as well as serve as a tangible proof of South Sudan’s post-conflict development.

Project objectives

PCPM is implementing a pilot project in partnership with the Polish Society for Photovoltaics and AMURT, an international NGO operating in South Sudan. In 2010, the project aims at installing the following solar systems in Aweil Town and Malualkon, Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State:

Type of system	Aweil Town	Malualkon	Schematic drawing
Individual homes or market areas (shops) 2.5W/3Ah solar lighting system 2 LED lights (40 lux) Cable for charging a mobile phone	60 homes 20 shops (based on beneficiary list prepared by the authorities)	60 homes 10 shops (based on beneficiary list prepared by the authorities)
Market areas (shops) 5W/5Ah solar lighting system 4 LED lights (40 lux) Cables for charging a radio and a mobile phone	n/a	10 shops (based on beneficiary list prepared by the authorities)
Public buildings 15W/26Ah solar lighting system 2 fluorescent lights (150 lux each) 2 LED lights (40 lux each) Outdoor spot light (motion-activated) Electric fan	2 sets / 1-2 public buildings (to be selected by the authorities)	2 sets / 1-2 public buildings (to be selected by the authorities)

Project location

The pilot project will be implemented in the Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State, South Sudan: Aweil (State capital) and Malualkon (Aweil East county). Please see the project location on the map below: