Electrification project
photovoltaic community Pichangal
The Pichangal community is located in the Cayapas Mataje Mangrove Ecological Reserve between San Lorenzo on the coast of Ecuador and Tumaco in Colombia.
The Afro-Ecuadorian population of Pichangal lives mainly from the capture and commercialization of shell and artisanal fishing. The average monthly gross income of a family is less than US$30, a large part of which is spent on mobilization.
The shell is harvested by the women and children of the community within the mangrove protected area. It is important that the community has its photovoltaic energy system to be able to carry out daily tasks such as educating children also at night, having access to information on radio and television.
The solar system helps preserve the mangrove ecosystem.
Electric solar systems independent or autonomous. Support and protection of medical and computer equipment, radio communication, electric fences. Photovoltaic panels, MPPT regulators, stationary batteries (lithium), and pure sine wave inverters.
The solar energy system initially includes 12 Isofoton I 110 panels with a total of 1540 Wp (peak watts), 7 MAC seasonal accumulators of 12 V (volts) 150 Ah (ampere hours) 3 30 A regulators and 2 Triplite APS 1250 inverters W (110 V alternating current generation for the local electrical grid).
During the day, the 17 families have the opportunity to listen to the radio and use blenders and fans. At night they can use their low energy consumption lamps and their (few) televisions until approximately 10 pm.
The expectation of the community is to increase the solar system to be able to maintain a communal freezer to improve the commercialization of seafood
The project was co-executed by the Pichangal community, CODESO and FEDARPOM S.L., the Federation of Afro-Ecuadorian Artisans Collectors of Mangrove Products based in San Lorenzo, Esmeraldas, Ecuador, Telefax 593-6-780533, fedarpom@ecuabox.com.
The main financing provided the Project for the Development of the Indigenous and Black Peoples of Ecuador PRODEPINE RCN Telefax 593-6-727937, prodrcn@yahoo.com. There was also support from the Illustrious Municipality of San Lorenzo.
The increase in the system is planned to be able to connect some communal freezers, to improve the commercialization of seafood. With its low income, the community will not achieve this goal, which is why support is sought.
Currently the Pichangal community is questioning the renovation of the water system (photo below), which is important for the families and in case you want to support this and/or other communities, inform yourself at: donations.