An all-female solar installation team brought renewable energy to Ratu Naivalu Memorial School on Waya Island in Fiji's Yasawa Group. The project, coordinated by It's Time Foundation (ITF), involved 10 engineering students from the University of the South Pacific and nine solar technicians from various Fiji solar businesses. Over seven days, the team installed solar panels and backup batteries, providing the school with 24/7 power.

The installation features 18kW of solar capacity, split between nine roof-mounted and nine ground-mounted panels for easier future expansion. It also includes six Briggs & Stratton SimpliPHI 6.6 batteries with nearly 40 kWh of storage. The system powers 17 buildings, including four school structures, 10 teachers' homes, and three hostels, serving 121 students and seven teachers.

ITF has partnered with Briggs & Stratton for seven years, installing hundreds of the company's batteries across the Pacific. The nonprofit has installed 32 renewable energy systems in Fiji to date and plans to add 40 more by the end of 2026. Its ultimate goal is to deliver power to over 200 island schools.

Project Details

Beyond the solar and backup power, ITF equipped the school with Starlink, laptops, and smart TVs to maximize the impact of the new 24-hour power. The entire system was quality-checked to Australia/New Zealand standards. The project also included a Women's Leadership Capacity Building Workshop and participation in the Sustainable Energy Industry Association of the Pacific Islands (SEAPI) conference.

To ensure long-term functionality, ITF established The Solar Fund (Fiji) to monitor and maintain the systems. The nonprofit has retained a solar/electrical contractor to conduct preventive maintenance and respond to outages. Schools contribute by providing local transport, meals, accommodation, and labor for digging, reducing costs and fostering community ownership.