12th June 2013- After weeks of gloom for nature lovers in Cameron Highlands with more and more forests coming down, it was rejuvenating to watch the solar lamps lighting up for the 1st time at our biodiversity site in Gunung Brinchang.
It is interesting to recall how the funds for the installation of the solar energy system in our centre came about. I was enjoying my afternoon nap sometime early last year when Mr Woon ( Melody’s Dad ) called to suggest that Reach should celebrate Earth Hour 2012. Being in the drowsy state that I was, I gave all the reasons why we should not. But Mr Woon was not to be deterred. So with the enthusiasm and help from Melody, her parents and friends, Carrol, and Reach committee members, Earth Hour 2012 in Tanah Rata came to fruition. Coincidentally some friends of friends had come to visit and Uncle Doc ( Dr Liau) brought them along for the Earth Hour celebrations. One of them happened to be the CEO of APM who was impressed with what he saw. When Dr Liau mentioned that we needed funds for the installation of the solar energy system at the biodiversity centre he asked us to write in and the rest is history. So what started out as a little idea had gathered a momentum of its own.
It had taken quite a while as the 1st few months were spent looking for an off grid solar system that was affordable,suitable for our small setting, efficient and easy to be installed and maintained. After much input from Rama, Dr Liau and Roy we finally sourced the system from Solar Voltaic, a company based in Kuala Lumpur whose boss, Paul gave us some good advice and suggestions. Since the solar panels provide electrical energy in the form of DC (direct current) and not AC (alternating current), our electrical appliances should run on DC too. That way we would not need a transformer or converter. Based on the amount of solar irradiance at our site the energy generated would not be enough to power the electrical stove and fridge so those would have to be run on LPG( gas).To save more costs he advised us to install it ourselves and that was what we did. We hired a local wireman and Siva (our committee member) liaised with Paul on the technical details when the circuitry was being set-up. Surprising the solar parts were not bulky except for the street lamps so transportation was not as problematic as we thought, thanks to Narwant (with his 3 ton lorry) and Cikgu Rama.
Today as we watched the solar lamps light up it was really a wonderful and rewarding sight.
