FANTSUAM SOLAR PROJECT PROGRESS REPORT

May, 2007

PROGRESS REPORT SOLAR BACKUP

Project Information Summary

Project Title: A Solar Power Electricity Backup System for Fantsuam

Foundation’s Community Wireless Network

IDRC Grant Number: 104192- 001

Institution Name: FANTSUAM FOUNDATION, Kafanchan. Nigeria

Working currency: Naira Currency of bank Account: UK Pounds Sterling

Commencement Date: 13th February, 2007

Report No. 1

Period of Report: 13th February – 25th May, 2007

Name of Project Leader: John Dada

Name of Authorized Financial Officer: Kazanka Comfort

Project Consultant: Dr Alberto Pascual-Escudero, IT+ 46 Ltd, Sweden

Team members: Ochuko Onoberhie, Owolabi Azeez, David Tsaro, Sunday

Oladayo, Joy Duniya, Sankwai Shekari, Omolayo Samuel

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Introduction
The Solar backup program started with initial design work by the IDC
Consultant in November 2006. However, critical elements of the proposal
could not be confirmed until after the consultant’s visit to Fantsuam in
February, 2007. This report therefore covers February to May, 2007. It must
however be appreciated that this is not an independent project, as it is an
integral part of the Wireless project that started in June 2006.

Design work has now been completed, introductory training provided, EOIs
accepted and a final quotation for supply of equipment is now being awaited.

Status Report

Objectives Activities Status Report

Increment the number Implement an electricity
of working hours of the backup system based on
ICT infrastructure deep cycle batteries
connected to the grid
Improve the physical Implement six
security in the premises independent street lighting
poles
Include a solar-powered
‘signal light’ in the wireless
communication tower
Improve the availability Implement electricity
of intranet and Internet backup system based on
core services to deep cycle batteries
Fantsuam Foundation connected to the grid in
and identified partners the Network Operation
within the community Centre, NOC
Implement a solar panel
subsystem to extend the
autonomy of the NOC
Expand the network by Establish two solar-power
means of establishing repeaters that will enable
two solar powered the expansion of the
repeaters backhaul network to
include another 5 partners
and increase the service
area of the community
Technical assessment which started
in Nov 2006, required physical visit of
consultant in Feb, 2007 during which
data collection was undertaken.
The Research Support Grant
Agreement for the Solar Power
Electricity Backup System for
Fantsuam Foundation's Community
Wireless Network was received on
28th February, 2007
At the Feb visit, tender documents
were made available on 27th March,
and EOIs were requested for the
different energy subsystems and their
loads.
On 14th May, the quotation of Yves
was accepted, and clarifications
requested from him.
On 30th May, Yves sent in his
response
To give more space to the new NOC,
the Fantsuam VSAT will be relocated
to the top of a roof. Bricks for the
NOC have been produced. The line
items from which savings are to be
made to accommodate costs for the
NOC is yet to be decided. In the
meantime, to take advantage of
available labour, excavation of
foundation is to start on 19th June
These activities will await next visit of
consultant in Sept, 2007. The second
supervisory visit as in the approved
proposal was to have taken place in
May 2007.

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 network
Improve the availability Implement an electricity These activities will await next visit of
of the wireless backup system based on consultant in Sept, 2007
backbone network deep cycle batteries
connected to the grid and
solar panels in the
wireless backbone nodes
that act as repeaters
Build capacity within Conduct basic general Basic training of FF staff in renewable
Fantsuam Foundation training in the energies took place during the Feb
in designing, dimensioning and visit
implementing and simulation of solar-
maintaining electricity powered autonomous and
backup systems with back-up systems
solar panels and deep Develop manuals and
cycle batteries training material
Deploy a set of backhaul
communication links and
clients installation using
electricity backup systems
jointly with Fantsuam
Foundation staff

Implementation Plan, June to Sept, 2007

June 4 – 17th Final quotation received from Yves

June 11 – 30th Construction of NOC
June 15 – Sep Socio-economic impact of CWN
June 25th Relocation of VSAT Dish
June 18 – 30th Solar Installations at FF
July 1 Installation of Pay As You Go
Jul 1 – 30th Low Power PCs
August 1- 31st Marketing, installations, in-house training
June – August Team meetings, weekly
July 15 Draft kick off program circulated
September Kick off