MATUSADONA NATIONAL PARK SOLAR REFURBISHMENT PROGRAM

A 2011 Solar Water and Energy Refurbishment Project in Matusadona National Park is now complete:

• Vulanduli: is enjoying water being pumped up from the Gorge 580m below using solar energy, and into the tank, providing running water to the Rangers stationed there. Also being provided with renewed vigour is a solar energy system for lights, radio communications, battery charging, and computers if available, cellphone charging.

• Tashinga: is enjoying an enhanced solar water system, with extra panels and enlarged security fence. The solar energy system has been upgraded, providing power for lights, radio communications, battery charging, computers, VSAT, cellphone charging. Matusadona Primary School has an extra handbasin for the pupils.

• Sanyati West: finally, after substantial challenges, both solar water and solar energy systems are in good order: the thatching of the roof of the dwelling housing the solar energy inverter is completed, and the energy system is protected from the rains for the forseeable future.

After having installed a new pump, with housing, tank and base, it has been finally ascertained that an elephant (possibly the one that is now denied playing with his electric fencing strand due to our new system there), pushed and buckled the water tank, causing the tankbase plate to crack and the tank to fall through the middle of the stand. This is now rebuilt, and re-established and water fills the tank each day, providing water in the taps at the dwellings.

• Changachirere: the float switch at the tank at this Field Station has been repaired, and the solar energy system upgraded, providing the Field Rangers there with lighting, radio communications, battery charging, and cell-phone charging facility.

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