Playing with Solar 2019

Project 90 by 2030‘s youth development initiative – YouLead – is a structured skills development program for 40 (per year) Khayelitsha-based youngsters between the ages of 15-24, who learn about environmental stewardship through focused activities designed to make learning fun.  One such component is “Playing with Solar”, where the YouLead Warriors learn the basics of solar technology and get to build their own solar powered phone charger as a take-away.

 

YouLead Warriors play “Star Power”

The YouLead Warriors begin the “Playing with Solar” program by playing a simulation game called STAR POWER, which Project 90 has adapted to assist these young leaders’ gain a clearer understanding of how climate change affects the most vulnerable members of a society.  Some key learnings from the game simulation are:

  • Those with the most power / influence can easily abuse their position to attain more resources for themselves and their peers.
  • Those with the least resources have the least power.  

These findings generally lead to robust discussions and debates about the need to live sustainably, and the impacts our actions have on ourselves, our peers and the planet. 

We then move on to the technology component, starting with a site visit to a solar installation (The 2019 program kicked off with a visit to the Century City installation above the Conference Centre) arranged by our partners SOLA.  

 

YouLead Warriors visit a solar installation at Century City

Project 90 by 2030 collaborates with Engineers without Borders at UCT  who provide the solar technology training to the YouLead Warriors. The practical solar skills workshops always begin with instructions on how to use a multi-meter correctly to measure electrical current, voltage and resistance.

 

A YouLead Warrior solders a circuit board

Once they have mastered this, the young leaders then learn how to build simple solar circuits using multi-coloured LED’s and buttons, and how to solder these circuits correctly.  These practical skills are then consolidated into building their own solar power banks to charge their mobile phones. 

 

Look what I made: A Solar Charger!

Project 90 by 2030’s aim is to dispel the myth that solar is only for those who can afford it.  Solar energy is becoming less expensive as it’s uptake increases, and can be used for small appliances as well as large applications.  The assembly of their own power banks helps these youngsters develop confidence in their abilities to utilise this ‘new’ technology, and gives them hope for the future. 

 

YouLead Warriors with Engineers Without Borders at the “Playing with Solar” Workshops in Khayelitsha