SPARE in Kyrgyzstan has implemented a bigger project on solar water heating in rural regions of the country. In 20 villages a number of families have got the possibility to be trained on how to build low cost solar water heaters. The project has met great interest all over Kyrgyzstan, and in total more than 300 persons has been trained on solar water heaters.
The main motivation for the project has been to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and contribute to preserve natural ecosystems in Kyrgyzstan. Solar energy use for heating water, instead of coal and wood will result in a significant decline of negative human impact on the nature.
The main purposes and tasks of this project were developing and adjusting solar installations and devices technology to an affordable price, training local population to construct those themselves and organizing regional solar-energy-use demonstrative stands as well as establishing permanent exhibitions of solar installations.
In total, BIOM has conducted the following activities:
* explored potentials for solar energy use in regions of Kyrgyzstan
* conducted a research on hot water demands and needs and chosen and developed technology accordingly
* provided training for educating future trainers
* spread knowledge on solar energy using for water heating, throughout all regions of Kyrgyzstan, by distributing informational material
* established cooperation between schools and NGOs in purposes of education on the project in seven counties
* developed and adjusted existing technology for solar collectors, using easily accessible low cost materials and according to the climate and the region
* trained more than three hundred locals in twenty villages, to become skilled in constructing solar installations themselves
* set seven stands for demonstrating solar energy exploitation, one in each Kyrgyzstan county
* developed monitoring program on effectiveness of the implemented project
The project was co-financed by Small Grants Program of GEF- Kyrgyzstan and Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The period of the project implementation was 2005-2007, however BIOM continues with monitoring and recording the results, as well as further dissemination of low cost technology, policy development and information on solar water heating.
Energy planning in villages
The project is starting in 2008, more information will follow.
