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Lavena Primary School
(2602-P3661)
About
Docs & Links
Specifications
Works & Maintenance
CO2 & $s
Contacts
Charge data
Term Reports
AboutLavena on the north of Taveuni has five teachers providing classes from Year 1 to 8. When the solar system was installed in 2013. The school generator was being used for very limited periods during the day for school office needs and student received no direct benefits from that power. The solar system and fuel savings create the opportunity for the school to start buying computers. The school was seriously impacted by tropical cyclone Winston 2016 (see images below) and the roof was blown off and panels destroyed. This was one of the few roof mount systems we had installed, but a stronger building followed and we installed new panels 2017 to restore the system.The old technology lead-acid batteries, after nearly 10 years, came to end of life and were replaced by Simpliphi Lithium batteries in July 2023, they will service the school for hope the coming two decades.
Major funders were Rotary Club of Templestowe, The Rotary Club of Manningham, Deakin University Global Citizenship Program, Art Building Children’s Dreams (Australia).
Lavena Primary School
Annual school fuel saving (litres) (1)
Annual fuel saving 5 teachers' homes getting solar (litres) (2)
Annual cartage saving (litres) (3)
Total annual fuel saving (litres) (4)
Fuel saving over 30 years (litres)
Annual CO2 saving (kgs)
CO2 saving over 30 years (kgs)
Annual AUD saving (8)
Annual USD saving
Annual FJD saving
30 yrs AUD saving
30 yrs USD saving
30 yrs FJD saving
Total of All It's Time Solar Schools
Total annual school fuel saving (litres)
Total annual fuel saving 99 teachers' homes getting solar (litres)
Total annual cartage saving (litres)
Total annual fuel saving (litres) (4)
Total fuel saving over 30 years (litres)
Total annual CO2 saving (kgs)
Total CO2 saving over 30 years (kgs)
Total annual AUD saving (8)
Total annual USD saving
Total annual FJD saving
Total 30 yrs AUD saving
Total 30 yrs USD saving
Total 30 yrs FJD saving
Assumptions
Fuel cost in the islands in AUD/litre (5)
Fuel cartage consideration % (3)
Annual fuel consumption per teacher's home wired (litres) (2)
Annual generator maintenance consideration AUD (6)
CO2 produced per litre of fuel burned (kgs) (7)
AUD to USD conversion rate used
AUD to FJD conversion rate used
Notes
(1) This is the annual fuel consumption based on reporting from the school at the time of school survey and affirmed at the time of installation. It refers to direct fuel use by the school, not including teachers' homes.
(2) The fuel consumption of teachers' homes varies considerable between homes and over time. Their sources of energy varies from their own small generators to shared generators, still some use kerosene for lighting and some small solar (often failing) for lights and charging. Recently on Beqa Island two of the 7 households at one school were each using 10 litres of fuel per week and some were using very little. So, we have chosen the conservative underestimate of each household saving of 2 litres per week (approx. 5 kgs of CO2).
(3) Most schools have a cost to get fuel to the school - usually small boats and car/truck on the mainland. The costs vary from small amounts to some schools where the cartage cost is almost the same as the cost of the fuel itself. The cartage consideration (dollar and carbon cost) is a percentage of the total fuel consumption, because it varies widely from school to school we have chosen quite a conservative estimate.
(4) Includes cartage and teachers' home consumption estimate that therefore contribute to the total CO2 saving. But we do not include the teachers home in the financial saving - rather we just refer to the savings from the school generator.
(5) This is the current published diesel price in Fiji presented in AUD. Often the islands pay a higher price, but that is not factored in, so generally the price will be a small under estimation.
(6) Generators often require repairs and eventually replacement. That cost varies significantly from school to school, so a conservative value is applied to represent this component of cost/saving for all schools. It is not possible to calculate that accurately for every school, hence the estimate across all.
(7) Burning diesel produces CO2 at a rate of 2.68 kgs/litre, whereas petrol produces it at a rate of 2.31 kgs/litre. We have chosen 2.55 as the approximate for our calculations because there is more diesel used than petrol in the school generators.
(8) The fuel savings in the teachers' homes are not included in the calculation of financial savings for the school. Although teachers are asked to make a small contribution each term (FJD70) for their now 24-hour power and this goes to the school to buy more education resources.
Inverters
Inverter type
Grid-tie inverter
Panels
Panel type
Number of panels
Array (watts)
Mountings
Mountings
Brand
Batteries
Battery type
Number of batteries
Kilowatt hours
Batteries mounted
General electrical works
Teachers quarters had no electrical wiring, so a new underground circuit was laid to connect them with new lighting and power. Major electrical works were implemented in the school building after cyclone Winston rebuild.
Other commnets
The original installation had 4 x SB1800 600Ah PowerStack battery banks that lasted 9 years which was good performance driven by conservative discharge settings.
Partners
Solar contractor
General electric works constractor
| Status | First Name | Last Name | Position | Questionnaire Role | Phone | FB | Note | Edited | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | Ilaisa | Deke Dakuwaqa | HOS | Read Only | 736 4757/8358524 | Aug 23 |
Enter any potentially relevant or useful contacts aside from the school. For example, carpenter, home stays, transport, resort managers, marine biologists etc. Or details such as a Ministry or other notable person who attended the school. Whoever may have relevance or use in the future.
Event
Docs and links for All Schools
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Responsibilities of Teachers --- This is referring to schools that will be supported by the Solar Fund (Fiji) maintenance initiative. (Commitments ... 28/11/2025 ) | |
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School Community Support Request --- This is relevant for projects delivered from 2026. (Commitments ... 28/11/2025 ) | |
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2025/26 School Agreements Explained --- This is a general explanation of agreements with school for 2025/2026. Note there may be school specific variations in signed school agreements. (Commitments ... 28/11/2025 ) | |
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Fiji Disabled Peoples Federation | |
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Its Time Foundation --- Is the organisation who arranged funding and installation of solar at the school (General ... 15/01/2025 ) | |
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The Solar Fund (Fiji) --- This fund is established for maintenance of school solar projects. Installations from 2025 are automatically included. We are working to raise funds the gradually include schools prior to 2025. (General ... 15/01/2025 ) | |
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Energy Efficiency Poster --- This should be displayed in all school rooms and teachers' homes. Download for replacements. (Resources ... 15/01/2025 ) | |
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Off Me Stickers Alternative 1. --- If needing more stickers for switches, contact Its Time Foundation. All light and power switches should have them as reminders to save power. (Resources ... 15/01/2025 ) | |
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Turn Me Off Stickers Alternative 2. --- If needing more stickers for switches, contact Its Time Foundation. All light and power switches should have them as reminders to save power. (Resources ... 15/01/2025 ) | |
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System Care Instructions --- This may vary depending on the type of system installed and if teachers' home are wired to the system. Follow relevant instructions. (Commitments ... 15/01/2025 ) | |
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Albinism Information pamphlet for teachers --- As your school gains better connectivity having solar these resources become more accessible. (Resources ... 13/03/2024 ) | |
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Albinism support resources --- Albinism Information pamphlet for teachers (Resources ... 13/03/2024 ) | |
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