Namamanuca Primary School

Namamanuca Primary School is on Yanuya Island. Before solar, the school ran its generator for a couple of hours during the day when needed – like most schools, carefully timing it to keep costs down. At night it ran for four hours to power the teachers' homes and boarding houses. Otherwise, teachers and boarders used kerosene lamps.

The 4.5 kW system we installed in 2014 worked well until a cyclone struck in 2016, with winds reported at a peak of 305 km/h as the eye passed over. The Clenergy mounting system stayed rock solid, but the panels had no chance against the flying debris. Thanks to the support of Boost Juice and Epoch Capital, we reinstalled the panels the following year, and the batteries were replaced in 2021.

We usually raise the money for a project through a major event or a main sponsor. Not this time, and that makes this one very special, because the contributions were so diverse. They included donation boxes at Denarau Marina, Lulu's Cafe and Budget Pharmacy in Fiji, and at Eastie Beach Cafe in Corrimal; the crazy principal at Mt Austin school who raffled herself each month to cover another teacher's classes; guests at Tokoriki Resort; a group of regular donors; Michael's winnings from a poker game; the walkathon mob; TGA happy hour; the kids at Claremont College; the Greens Rugby Club grand final bash; donations made instead of flowers at Marie's funeral; and everyone else who contributed – you know who you are.