4 Panel Surya Standing In Cianjur, Electricity Supply For Refugees Until 9 Pm

The Ministry of Social Affairs has prepared solar panel technology to help supply electricity needs for refugees from the Cianjur earthquake, West Java. (Between)

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Social Affairs (Kemensos) has prepared solar panel technology to help supply electricity needs for earthquake refugees in Cianjur Regency, West Java.

Chairman of the Coordinator of the Refugee Command Post in Jagaraksa Square, Cianjur, Rachmat Koesnadi said the installation of solar panels on the instructions of the Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini considering that the source and electricity network were damaged by the earthquake.

"He immediately instructed the installation of solar cells, although they are still limited but very helpful during an emergency, while waiting for PLN's electricity to resume operations," he said in a written statement, Wednesday, December 7, quoted from Antara.

Initially installed one solar panel, but now 4 panels have been installed with a capacity of 2,000 W which is used to support public kitchen lighting that operates from early morning at 02.00 WIB to 21.00 WIB.

The entire soccer field was also listed, assisted by the addition of several small panels installed between evacuation tents as a light for the road so that people felt safer and more comfortable.

At another refugee camp, the Sub-Coordinator for Fulfilling the Basic Needs of the Ministry of Social Affairs as well as Functional Social Workers at the evacuation post of Ciputri Village, Pacet District, Fahri Isnanta, said the installation of solar cells made people feel safe to go to public facilities available in refugee camps at night, especially for vulnerable groups.

"With solar cells, Psychosocial Support Service Activities (LDP) can also be carried out at night, especially for gentlemen who are not in refugee camps during the day and children who attend emergency schools in the morning. For example, congregational prayer activities, recitation, watching together and discussing community groups," he said.

Fahri explained that this alternative solar power source can be used continuously and can ease the existing electricity load, streamline the electricity costs used at the refugee post. The money can be optimized for other needs for refugees.

Then one of the volunteers at the Cariu Mangunkerta Field Post, Gunawan, said that socialization and awareness of the use of electricity from solar energy need to be socialized. Apart from being environmentally friendly, cheap is also long-lasting. It just needs to be maintained and cared for together and strived to avoid theft.

"Even for evacuation posts in the Cariu field, diesel cells are also used for the freezer of public kitchen cars in storing ready-to-eat food, frozen chicken and Pindang. This is useful so that food ingredients are maintained in freshness." said Gunawan.

However, he said the problem was in Cariu, because here, including highlands, hills, the sun is lacking because it rains almost every day, so the use of solar panels cannot be optimized 100 percent like other areas.

The total solar panels that have been provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs in 5 evacuation posts total 15 solar panels and in the future will continue to be developed and added to areas that need sufficient intensity of sunlight.