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“Assisting communities to

access sustainable technology”

Alternative Technology Association

International Projects Group

Level 1, 39 Little Collins St

Melbourne Vic 3000

Ph: +613 96316416

Website: www.ata.org.au/ipg

Twitter: ata_aus

Issue Date: May 2011

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Alternative Technology Association

The ATA (Alternative Technology Association) is

Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation,

promoting sustainable technology and practice. The

ATA provides services to members who are actively

walking the talk in their own homes by using good

building design, conserving water and using renewable

energy. ATA advocates in government and industry

arenas for easy access to these technologies as well as

continual improvement of the technology, information

and products needed to change the way we live.

International Projects Group

The ATA International Projects Group (IPG) aims to

assist communities to access sustainable technologies.

Formed in 2005 the group has completed renewable

energy projects in Australia and Vanuatu. We have a

strong commitment to capacity building and training

and a focus on the poorest rural communities. The IPG

consists of volunteers and professionals and values

partnerships as a model for project delivery.

Project Sponsors, Volunteers and Supporters

Partner Organisations

Permatil, Rotary DIK, Kangaroo Valley Remixio Partnership,

Friends of Maubisse, Victorian Women’s Trust, East Timor

Women’s Australia (ETWA), Rotary Club of Dili, The PETER

trust, Café Cooperativa Timor-Leste, Bega Valley Advocats for

Timor Leste, Ballarat Friends of Ainaro, Friends of Aileu,

Damascus College Road Rage

Volunteers

Mick Harris, Alan Hutchinson, Oliver Crowder, Olivia

Laskowski, Neil Faragher, Yarra Di Martino, Rohan Dierich,

Peter Reichelt, Greg Thomson, Jeanette Venables, Terry

Lewis, Peter Lewis, Lynne Keevers, Lynne Dooley, Patrick

Eijsvogel, Oliver Crowder, and Peter MacDonald

Extra special thanks to:

Padre David, Deb Salvagno, Mary Crooks, Daryl Mills, Rita

Hayes, Bill Dagg, Nick Statts, Bea Veagas and George

Polycarpu from Polygranet

Training Project

The ATA would like to thank the AusAID for their funding

support for the Timor-Leste Solar Power Training Project. We

would also like to thank Lyn Butler, Isabel De Lima, Aires de

Almeida, Izmenio Martins and other members of the Steering

committee. This project is only possible due to the

commitment and skills of the project team: John Kemp,

Andrew Blair, Josh Backwell, Michael O’Connell, Jose “Jeka”

Xavier and Ela Maria Xavier. Finally thanks to all the teachers,

trainees and officials who have contributed to this project.

Page | 2

We hope that you can use your skills to

access sustainable technologies.

Equipment Suppliers

M&H, Plasmatronics, Selectronic, RF Industries, JayDee

cables

Report Authors

This report was prepared by Anton Vikstrom and Prabir

Majumdar

We hope that you can use your skills to assist communities to

access sustainable technologies.

Equipment Suppliers

Plasmatronics, Selectronic, RF Industries, JayDee

Report Authors

This report was prepared by Anton Vikstrom and Prabir

Table of Contents

Project Sponsors, Volunteers and Supporter

Project Manager’s Report

Project Manager’s Report

Renewable Energy for the Poor

The Real Cost of Light

Project Updates

Maubara Orphanage

ETWA ‘Gimme Shelter’

Training project

Village Lighting Project

2010-11 Completed Projects List

Contacting the ATA International Projects

Table of Contents

Project Sponsors, Volunteers and Supporters ............... 1

Project Manager’s Report – Anton Vikstrom ................. 3

Project Manager’s Report – Prabir Majumdar ............... 4

Renewable Energy for the Poor – The Case for Action .. 5

The Real Cost of Light ..................................................... 5

Project Updates .............................................................. 7

Maubara Orphanage ...................................................... 7

ETWA ‘Gimme Shelter’ ................................................... 7

ject .............................................................. 8

Village Lighting Project ................................................... 9

11 Completed Projects List ................................. 10

Contacting the ATA International Projects .................. 11

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Project Manager’s Report – Anton Vikstrom

In early 2007 I started working with the ATA

International Projects Group (IPG). The four years since

then have been some of the most rewarding in my life.

The opportunity to deliver projects with such an

inspiring group of professionals, volunteers and

counterparts has been phenomenal.

The achievements of the IPG over this time include:

• Over 4000 people benefiting from improved

lighting through the Village Lighting Scheme

• Developing groundbreaking training material

and assisting technicians gain the skills to

obtain employment as solar technicians

• Managing 52 solar PV installations for schools,

clinics and community centers

The most important highlights of these years have been

the real and direct impacts these projects have had on

communities, households and individuals. For example

the humbling experience of helping an elderly man to

turn on a light switch for the first time – lighting up his

and his family’s home. I have been gladdened to return

to locations where the light and power is making a

positive difference, years after a project is completed.

The situation in Timor is evolving swiftly. The troubles

of 2006 are a memory and the progress of major

infrastructure projects is rapidly changing the project

context. The national electrification project will power

many towns with reliable 24-hour power. However, the

work of the ATA will be unaffected, because even

optimistic forecasts recognise that tens to hundreds of

thousands of households will require alternative energy

sources as they are too far from towns and the

centralized grid.

In closing I would like to thank the many project

partners, volunteers and friends who have made this

experience so rewarding. Thanks for the opportunity to

work with you and I look forward to hearing stories in

the future.

Anton Vikstrom

Village Lighting Schemes involve a

strong link to local communities. My

regards to the people of Bessilau,

Fadabloko and Fadarasa

Page | 4

Project Manager’s Report – Prabir Majumdar

I am excited to update you on our recent work. Since I

started with the ATA in October 2010, I have been

engaged in delivering innovative solutions in energy

access in rural and remote Timor Leste with a team of

technical experts.

In 20 years’ time, according to the World Bank, 90,000

rural and remote households in Timor Leste will still

have no electricity. This is a staggering figure.

The ATA’s goal is to support and work with

communities to grow and prosper in balance with

natural ecosystems, living sustainably through the

improved use of technology and practices. This aligns

with international thinking on energy as an engine for

economic growth and human development – energy

that is accessible, affordable and green to reduce

poverty and place communities on a sustainable and

inclusive development path.

I am excited as I embark on a two pronged approach to

our work in Timor Leste. I am looking forward to

meeting with our technical experts and developing new

methodologies and approaches to roll out our energy

for poverty solutions program through identifying,

designing, implementing and monitoring; engaging with

the government of Timor Leste on policy dialogue and

building capacity and sharing knowledge within the

broader community.

I would also like to engage more with our friendship

groups and other partners, replicate and scale up our

proven approaches and build stronger partnerships to

develop and finance our projects.

I look forward to working with you all.

Prabir Majumdar

The Village Lighting Scheme continues to

be a priority for the IPG.

Page | 5

Renewable Energy for the Poor – The

Case for Action People in rural Timor live without many of the energy

services that are taken for granted. Kerosene or candles are

used for lighting. Cooking is conducted using firewood and an

open fire and people are lucky to afford some batteries for a

radio or walk to the village centre to watch a communal TV.

This “energy poverty” has a range of deleterious effects. It

has been linked to poor education outcomes, health impacts

from smoke inhalation, and a reduction in awareness of

social issues and the democratic process. Rural people also

earn less and must travel further to access health, education

and other government services.

The Government of Timor Leste has an ambitious plan to

“electrify the nation”. This involves the construction of a

centralized grid and an investment of hundreds of millions of

dollars on heavy fuel oil generators to power this

infrastructure. However this infrastructure is currently only

connecting major towns. Plans for rural electrification have

not been released, but even the Government recognizes that

at least 20% of the population won’t access the centralized

grid. Given the remote rural population and rugged

topography, the ATA believes this percentage may be

considerably higher. The confluence of the rural poor and a

project that will not reach them reinforces the ATA’s role and

mandate to “assist communities' access to sustainable

technologies”.

The Real Cost of Light One of the most common arguments against solar power and

renewable energy is that “it costs too much”. This is not the

case.

In a developing country context the cost of power, energy or

electricity is vastly different than in a developing country. In

Timor urban households have their electricity supply

subsidized so that householders have their tariff fixed at

$2.25 per month (this is for a small 2A connection for light

and TV). The situation in rural households is different as

there is no government-delivered energy supply. The most

popular alternative fuel for lighting is kerosene. Kerosene

costs around $2 per litre and a household may use two to

four litres of kerosene per month. Kerosene is not just more

costly than electricity, it is more polluting and it produces a

far less usable light. A bare wick kerosene lamp produces

eight lumens of light from a single lamp whereas a 10W CFL

produces around 650 lumens.

Solar power produces quality electric light. The ATA Village

Lighting system produces around 700 lumens of light from

seven watts of LED lights. It clearly produces more light than

kerosene lamps and it would take around 87 kerosene lamps

to produce a similar level of illumination.

Some argue that solar power is expensive and unaffordable

to the rural poor. However this is not the case. The table

below charts the costs to the household of providing light

under two rates of kerosene consumption and two project

delivery approaches. All the figures are observed expenses

for households in rural Timor. The cost for solar power

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0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

$ U

S

Kerosene vs Solar: Household Lighting Costs

VLS (Full cost)

VLS (Subsidised)

Kerosene (Thrifty user)

Kerosene (Heavy user)

Year

includes maintenance expenses such as replacing light bulbs

and batteries as they are worn out.

At year 10, a heavy kerosene user will have spent almost

$900 on kerosene. A thrifty user of kerosene would have

spent almost $500. This can be compared to someone who

had purchased a solar power system commercially, who

would have spent over $300, or a recipient of an ATA Village

Lighting Scheme system, who would have spent just over

$200. The ATA is proud to assist communities to save money

through accessing sustainable technologies.

Note: This is a simplified calculation for demonstration

purposes. It does not include any discounting factors e.g.

depreciation, finance or inflation. We don’t believe that the

inclusion of these factors would fundamentally alter the

relative costs.

Solar powered electric lights (above)

provide a clean, high quality light source.

Kerosene wick lamps (below) produce a

dirty, smoky flame and are expensive.

runrun.

Page | 7

Project Updates

The following projects have been discussed in previous

reports and the website. This section provides an update on

the success of these projects.

Maubara Orphanage In 2009 the ATA was approached by the Rotary Club of Five

Dock to undertake a project at the Maubara Orphanage. The

orphanage is a large complex approximately 30kmwest of

Dili. The grid power supply reaches the orphanage, but is

often unreliable with frequent black outs and brown outs. A

brown out (uncommon in developed countries) is where the

supply voltage drops so low that common appliances don’t

work. The supply voltage often dropped below 200 volts at

the site. There is a number of difficulties designing this type

of system based on the large numbers of “unknowns”, eg

how long does the power go out for and how often? As a

result a design was conceived which utilizes the grid when

available. The system automatically changes over to a solar

powered battery bank, and in the case of a long string of

cloudy days, a backup generator was installed. There are not

many buildings in Timor with three sources of power!

This installation called on the reserves of a large team of

volunteers. The five volunteers, including three engineers

and an electrician, had to undertake a large reorganization of

the electrical wiring. The switchboard was reconnected with

signage and labeling for a variety of circuits. A 1kW solar

array was mounted on the orphanage roof and a large 990Ah

24 volt battery bank installed. In order to conserve power

during lengthy blackouts, a system of “prioritising circuits”

was developed. In this situation the most important

functions of the building have priority over more

discretionary uses. As a result the main kitchen,

administration area and security lighting have service

priority. Other circuits will only work when the grid power is

operating. A range of indicator lights were incorporated to

help the system operators know when the grid power is

functioning or when the batteries are powering the system.

Overall this project fulfills a strong need for light and power

at the orphanage. As a result the nuns and children have

improved security and access to nutrition. Alan, Niel, Peter,

Rohan and Yarra excelled on the implementation of the

project and the Rotary Club of Five Dock, Rotary Club of Dili

and PETER Trust should be thanked for their support.

Peter inspects the Maubara installation

(above). The system switched

automatically between different power

supplies (below). Project team enjoying

the hospitality of the nuns (right).

Page | 8

ETWA ‘Gimme Shelter’

Through East-Timor Women Australia (ETWA) projects,

women in remote communities are given the opportunity to

be part of sustainable weaving collectives. The collectives

weave traditional cloth for local and international markets

whilst preserving their cultural practices and supporting their

communities and the surrounding environments. The

'Gimme Shelter' project aims to provide the first stage in this

project - bringing light and a space for the women to be

together, as weaving collectively is important for Timorese

women. For the last three years the ATA has been involved,

designing a high quality light source and raising funds for the

solar power component of the project. In 2009 the Victorian

Women’s Trust (VWT) came on board as a partner and

together we raised the thousands of dollars required for this

light and power system.

Following all this hard work in Australia, locals and Timorese

came together to build the weaving centres and install the

electric light and power. Rohan and Peter travelled to the

remote village of “Fuat”to install the state-of-the-art system.

The volunteers, local women and their husbands prepared

and worked voluntarily to achieve something unique in

Timor-Leste: a space just for women’s development.

Key design features were the requirement to provide very

high quality light for detailed tasks such as weaving. As a

result highly focused and directional LED PAR38 lights were

used. In addition, general illumination was provided by CFL

globes for community meetings and other functions. Deb

Salvagno, a long-term ETWA volunteer, says “The ambience is

lovely and the community is delighted”.

Training project The ATA’s commitment to capacity building has assisted us to

deliver the Timor Solar Power Training Project. ATA technical

trainers in collaboration with training institutions in East

Timor and with funding from AusAID have developed a

national curriculum and train-the-trainer material for solar

power training. The Certificate II in solar installation is the

first Certificate II training course to be recognised by the East

Timor Government. The project is nearing completion.

Currently two complete groups of students from two training

institutions have graduated through the training. The ATA is

working with employers to provide work experience

placements and hopefully employment in the growing solar

power sector. A further two groups are scheduled to

commence training in the near future. The result of this

training will be a cadre of technicians who will be at the

frontline of the electrification of rural Timor – a great

outcome for the ATA.

This project demonstrated the IPG’s ability to “scale up” and

deliver a larger project with our usual commitment to

quality. A strong group of volunteers and professionals from

our networks in renewable energy, publishing and training

development ensured this project was a success.

The ETWA system provides high quality

light, as demonstrated by the crisp

shadows in the picture above.

Technicians undertook intensive training

in installation, maintenance and design.

(below)

Page | 9

Village Lighting Scheme In October and November 2010 the Village Lighting Project

reached 404 households, enabling more than 2000 people to

access high-quality lighting. The scheme continued its

ongoing partnership with Kangaroo Valley and the Remixio

Sub district, with the villages of Fadabloko and Fadarasa

taking part in the project. Technical changes in 2010 included

the supply and installation of 3W LED lights for all new

installations. The 3W CREE LEDS are improving the available

light significantly.

In May 2011 ATA volunteers visited Fadabloko to review the

progress of the installations. A survey was made of sample

households and a series of meetings held with local officials,

technicians and committee of management. Key outcomes

included:

• There was a reported reduction on expenditure on

kerosene. The savings varied from $8-$2 per month.

With most respondents in the $2-$4 range

• All households had school-aged children and

homework/school work were reported as activities

since the installation of the systems. Other observed

uses including preparing oranges for sale at market

and the weaving of baskets and floor matting

• Over $1900 had been saved by the community for

future maintenance expenses. Over 89% of user

fees had been paid

• The systems where providing around 3.6 hours of

light during the dry season and 2.3 hours in the wet

season

The conclusion at this point is that the systems are benefiting

the communities in which they have been installed. Future

work for the ATA and our partners will be continued

evolution of the technical solutions as well as further work to

consolidate the committees and financial management

systems. The ATA is also undertaking trials in Maubisse and

we hope that a Village Lighting Scheme will commence in

that sub-district also.

This system installed in Maubisse (above)

provides light in three rooms. Terry and

Chafe Serafin inspect a system in

Fadabloko (below)

This system was installed in 2009. The solar panel

mount was designed and installed by a local

technician

Page | 10

VILLAGE LIGHTING Location Project Description System Type PV

Capacity

Battery

Capacity

System

Voltage

Units

Installed

FADA BLOKO Village Lighting

Scheme Phase 2

Remixio, Aileu As part of the ongoing commitment to the Remixio Village Lighting Scheme the

Kangaroo valley Remixio Partnership and ATA continued installations in Fada

Bloko Succo.

VLS: 10W, LCR3 regulator, 2 x 3W cree LED Edison

Screw light bulbs, 1 x 1W adjustable spotlight.

10W each 7Ah each 12V 250

FATA RASA Village Lighting

Scheme

Remixio, Aileu As part of the ongoing commitment to the Remixio Village Lighting Scheme the

Kangaroo Valley Remixio Partnership and ATA commenced installations and

community training in in Fada Rasa Succo.

VLS: 10W, LCR3 regulator, 2 x 3W cree LED Edison

Screw light bulbs, 1 x 1W adjustable spotlight.

10W each 7Ah each 12V 150

Maubisse VLS Maubisse Sub-

district

Under request from the Bendigo friends of Maubisse the ATA has commenced

trials with four households in Maubisse. These trials aim to test the systems

under local figh altitude conditions. In 2011 an evaluation will be made wether

to commence further work on this project.

VLS: 10W, LCR3 regulator, 2 x 3W cree LED Edison

Screw light bulbs, 1 x 1W adjustable spotlight.

10W each 7ah, 14Ah and 24Ah on test12V 4

INSTALLATIONS Location Project Description System Type PV

Capacity

Battery

Capacity

System

Voltage

Inverter

Type

Maubara Orphanage Maubara,

Liquisa District

The orphanage in Maubara cares for around 50 orphins at their compound.

This location suffered from a very poor electricity supply. Effectively its distance

from the power source was creating "brown outs" where the voltage was not

sufficient to electrical appliances. The large population and requirement for

large amounts of power, combined witha limited budget predicated a system

with robust size and flexibility.

Hybrid: Large and intricate hybrid power supply.

This system incorporated generator, charger, large PV

array and dual Inverter circuits

1020W 990Ah 24V Selectronics

WM 1700

and LD700

Railaco SMA School Admin Railaco town The ATA has worked with the community at Railaco for a number of years. In

2008 we installed a system to power laptop computers and sewing machines.

This system has been working effectively for 2 years, however the needs of the

school have grown. The school contacted the ATA to upgrade the system to

allow for an administration office to be set up. This utilised existing equipment

as well as an increase in some components as well as trenching and other site

works.

Upgrade: upgrade of existing system, include 240v

wiring, 40A regulator and changeover as well as

install of 4 x new panels and doubling of battery bank

320W 200Ah

(additional

)

24V Selectronics

WM 1700

Bazertete School Bazertete town The school at the Bazertete convent had no reliable power during daylight hours.

As a result eductaional opportunities where closed to a number of people

especially women and girls who where worried with travelling at nightime to

attend computer training courses. This system is designed to power the

computer laboritory and was designed in to incorporate energy efficient

computers to save overall system costs.

Hybrid: Standard hybrid system with laptop

computer replacement

240W 405Ah 12V Selectronic

LD600

CVTL Emergency radio and

Light

Maliana town The Red Cross in Timor (CVTL) is refurbishing their district offices. As a key

organisation CVTL was looking for assistance as part of their emergency and

risk reparedness program. The ATA worked with CVTL to develop a system

which would ensure that there is always lighting and radio communications

available even in the event of a complete breakdown in electricity supply.

Hybrid: 12V Power supply for emergency radio and

lighting at Timor Red Cross Centers (CVTL)

320W 405Ah 12V N/A

HERA CLINIC Hera, Dili Located just 15km from Dili this clinic suffers from severly interrupted

electricity supplies. This system ensures that there is always electricity available

for lighting, nebuliser and steriliser.

Hybrid: Small hybrid to power 12v basic lighting (9

lights) during blackouts. Small inverter attached to

power nebuliser.

80W 270Ah 12V Selectronic

LD200

ETWA Weaving Center Iliona town,

Los Palos

East Timor Women Australia (ETWA) is assisting coomunities in the far East of

Timor to empowerr themselves and promote local traditions and handcrafts. As

part of this process a weaving center has been constructed in Iliona. This center

needed a source of light that could enable detailed craft work during daytime

and nightime. There was also a need for general illumination during meetings

and other community events.

RAPS: Remote Area Power supply with PV, battery

and inverter. Powers high powered LED sopotlights

to illuminate individual weaving areas

320W 405Ah 12V Victron

700W

2010-11 Completed Projects List

Page | 11

Contacting the ATA International Projects

For project assistance or queries contact:

Prabir Majumdar

International Projects Manager

Alternative Technology Association

Level 1, 39 Little Collins St

Melbourne Vic 3000

Ph: +613 96316416

Email: Prabir@ata.org.au

Website: www.ata.org.au/ipg

Twitter: ata_aus