Perseverance, and Impact

At our training centre in Noro, it became evident 12 months ago that our off-grid power setup was due for a major upgrade. Our 24-battery backup system was failing, and replacements were unavailable, necessitating a change. Without functional batteries, our solar power ceased at night, leaving us reliant on costly generator power. After extensive research, we decided on Li-ion batteries with about 2.5 times the capacity of our current ones. These were sourced from Australia, as they were not available locally.

We sought import duty and tax exemption beforehand, a process that took over two months but was ultimately successful. Orders for the batteries were placed during Christmas, but we missed the initial shipping schedule, so we had to wait for the next one. The boat arrived during the national election week in the Solomons, complicating the already cumbersome paperwork process across four government departments where physical forms and stamps are still the norm. Our tax exemption was set to expire on the last day of April. After paying a “work late fee” of $5 per hour, we managed to clear our batteries by 5:30 pm on the very last day, narrowly avoiding over $10,000 in taxes!

Next, we faced the challenge of installing our bespoke system, relocating it to its new home, and hooking up additional solar panels. Despite our best efforts to find local help, we found an electrical engineer from a regional Queensland power station on extended leave, who was available just as our equipment arrived.

Meanwhile, we were building the new Power House, which would house the batteries, controls, and the backup diesel generator away from the student study room. This involved crafting 400 handmade bricks from sand dug by hand from a nearby island, requiring eight boat trips. Miraculously, the roof was completed the day our volunteer arrived from Australia.

By this time  our old battery system was almost entirely depleted, forcing us to turn off all appliances and refrain from flushing toilets overnight in a futile attempt to conserve power. The new panels were installed, the old ones moved, wiring laid, and batteries set up. Moving the massive generator into the shed was a challenge, but local brute  strength prevailed. All the complex controllers were connected, and it was time to switch on the system.

Nothing happened.

For nearly three days, we had a state-of-the-art system that wouldn’t start, while relying on our failing old setup. Our volunteer worked tirelessly, researching troubleshooting tips and trying countless adjustments. Finally, we reached an expert in Queensland who guided us through various solutions, the last being a software update.

Even that didn’t work.

But then, our volunteer found the problem: a misconnected wire. Once corrected, the system roared to life! For almost a month now, we haven’t needed to run the generator, thanks to ample solar and battery backup, powering the entire training centre—including five houses, the study room, and the chapel. This success opens the possibility of providing power to other buildings on site.

This accomplishment, perfectly timed by God’s grace, promises free power for the next 5-10 years, a significant milestone.

We extend our deepest gratitude to everyone involved, from brick makers to shipping importers, and especially to our incredible volunteer electrician who pieced everything together and found the missing link.

This project, one of our most significant to date, exemplifies our “Equip and Empower for Impact” slogan.

By enhancing our power system, we empower our community, reduce costs, and provide reliable energy, all while reflecting God’s provision and timing.

-Cost Savings: Significantly reduced reliance on expensive generator power. –

-Sustainability: A greener solution with increased solar power utilisation. –

-Empowerment: Enhanced capacity to support more houses and facilities. –

-Resilience: Reliable power supply ensuring uninterrupted training and activities. –

-Academic Improvement: Students can study at night in the library and complete their assignments without interruption. –

-Uninterrupted Online Classes: Online classes with Kingsley College proceed smoothly, without power outages or noisy generators. –

-Reduced Stress: No more anxiety about having enough power to function effectively as a college. –

-Community Engagement: Involvement of local and international volunteers fostering a sense of global community. We thank God for His perfect timing and for equipping and empowering us to make a lasting impact!