View source for Girl MOVE Academy in Nampula

==Introduction==
[[File:Fachsheet_-_Swiss_solar.png|alt=|right]]
Girl MOVE is a Grassroots Leadership Academy, recognized by UNESCO in 2021 with the 2021 UNESCO Prize for Girls & Women Education [1], that creates innovative models of education to amplify talent, raise gender equality and promote sustainable transformation. [2] The organization is based in Nampula, Mozambique and their main building is off-grid in an peri-urban area.

==Project Details==
*Project: Girl MOVE Academy [https://www.girlmove.org]
*Location: Nampula, Mozambique
*Application: Education
*Energy Type: Solar PV
*Installation Type: Off-grid
*Installation Date: 2019
*Installed by: [http://www.swisssolar.co.mz SwissSolar] and [https://www.logosindustries.com/ Logos Industries]
*Powered by: [https://www.victronenergy.com Victron Energy] and [https://www.freedomwon.co.za Freedom Won]
*Financed by: [https://www.edp.com/en/edp/social-responsibility/access-energy-fund-program#a2e-fund-program&#x5D; EDP Energy Access Fund] 
 
==Building==
The building aims to be a symbol of women’s  leadership and reference to the world, and a center for knowledge creation,  where disruptive ideas and visions can be embraced and discussed openly. The  architects had the challenge to transfer that vision into a real building.  The project deeply impacted the local community. Most of the building was  made with brick, produced in site with the traditional techniques. Students  and local neighbors were invited to participate in the building process, so  the knowledge was shared. The use of the earth as a construction material was  important to dignify a material that normally is considered a poor material.  [3]
*Architects: [https://www.pazbraga.com Paz Braga] and [https://www.archdaily.com/office/rootstudio?ad_name=project-specs&ad_medium= ROOTSTUDIO] 
*Area: 1200 m²
*Construction Year: 2019
 
==Motivation==
The electrical grid in Nampula provides intermittent  and low quality power which create problems and frustration to the users of  the building. Teaching, learning and building day to day function was negatively affected by using the grid. On the other hand, it was always the  intention of the organization to provide an innovative solution to energy  demands and, at the same time, provide an example of sustainable  transformation to the users and community at large.
 
For these reasons the organization applied for a  grant to [https://www.edp.com/en/edp/social-responsibility/access-energy-fund-program#a2e-fund-program EDP Energy Access Fund] and hired [http://www.swisssolar.co.mz SwissSolar] to install, and [https://www.logosindustries.com/ Logos Industries] for the procurement, of a 12.6  kWp photovoltaic system with 30 kWh battery bank powered by [https://www.victronenergy.com Victron Energy] and [https://www.freedomwon.co.za Freedom Won] equipment. The prepaid utility grid connection  was defined as backup for the system.
 
The academy set the following goals with this  project:
*Increase the number of  quality training hours
*Ensure access to information  technology skills training
*Test innovative ways for the  community to access training, in order to improve their academic or income  generation goals
*Decrease dirty energy use  (generator) in implementing the organization programs
 
==System==
[[File:Solar system design for the off-grid building.png|thumb|Solar system design|alt=]]
The installer didn’t receive a briefing from the  client for the installation. A base load was calculated, while  air-conditioning systems removed, to reduce consumption and eliminate all  objects on the roof, to be able to install an array that would not be visible  to not ruin the aesthetics of the building. [4]
*Solar Array: Generation of 12.6 kWp, consisting of two arrays of 6.3 kWp with  twenty JA Solar Mono PERC 315Wp modules, connected to two Victron SmartSolar  250V/100A charge controllers on ballasted mounting structure;
*Inverter System: 10kVA Victron Quattro inverter/charger with CCGX monitoring  including by-pass switch and over-voltage/spike protection;
*Battery Bank: Freedom Won Lite 30/24 – LiFePo4 battery bank 30kWh, supplying  daily power use of 24kWh @ 4000 cycles and connected to a Victron Lynx DC bus;
*Life Expectancy: 25 years.
 
==Challenges==
[[File:Solar_panels.png|alt=|right]]
The following challenges were shared by the installer  and user:
*Find a location for the array  so that would not ruin the aesthetics of the building;
*Integrate the new conducts and wiring on a brick building;
*Transport and install 300kg  battery bank;
*Technical closet with all  solar and electrical equipment being shared as storage with flammable  materials;
*Prepaid utility grid backup needs to be paid, minimum fee, or contract will expire;
*Lack of technical knowledge  on the organization to due maintenance of the system.
 
==Outcomes==
While other sustainable strategies and tactics could  be implemented in the project, motion sensors, stormwater collection, waste  recovery, and others, the outcomes are clear, a net-zero, off-grid, self-sustainable  energy building that teaches young women to think outside the box and  innovate. The Girl MOVE Academy is everything buildings in Mozambique should  be: gorgeous, functional, local sourced construction and energy emancipated. 

==References==
*[1]  https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379322
*[2] https://www.girlmove.org/about/
*[3]  https://www.archdaily.com/933321/girl-move-academy-rootstudio
*[4] http://www.swisssolar.co.mz
[[Category:Mozambique]]
[[Category:Solar]]
[[Category:Off-grid]]
[[Category:Renewable Energy]]