Transcript
MARTIN CHONG: We're talking really here about isolated farm households rather than village communities so solar energy or solar electricity will be a big step up in terms of their development and connectivity to the rest of the world. They'll be able to charge phones, they'll have enough light in the house, in total about 400 households will get solar home systems - so having access to electricity and light - it's a really big step.
AMELIA LANGFORD: So, in terms of the solar power households, what is installed?
MC: What's installed is solar panels, which are mounted on a pole outside the house. The pole is able to withstand winds of up to category 4 and within the house itself, they will get eight lights internal and two external, they'll be able to charge phones, power a small TV, there will also be a desk lamp, and also we're providing two solar lanterns per household.
AL: This is a sugarcane belt area isn't it, that was affected by Cyclone Winston?
MC: Yeah, correct. It was pretty much in the direct path of Cyclone Winston and households have been damaged, they've been rebuilding and refurbishing their homes, and that's taken some time as well but they're grateful to be receiving these solar systems to give them access to electricity.
AL: How will these solar panels change people's lives do you think?
MC: It's an important change. It's a significant change. The access to electricity overcomes the obstacles to social and economic development especially in these very remote, rural communities. It's an important step for them - the connectivity - to be able to charge their phones, to be able to connect through TV and connect with the outside world. If you're out in the sugarcane belt area, you can see how in the evening it's completely dark unless you've got lights and access to power out there. It's pretty isolated so this will help these communities keep in touch with the rest of Fiji.
