Twenty women, seven days: an all-women crew powers Ratu Naivalu

Twenty women spent seven days installing a solar system at Ratu Naivalu Memorial School. It was our first installation carried out entirely by women, and is believed to be a first for the Pacific.

The crew

Engineering students from the University of the South Pacific worked alongside experienced solar technicians and managers. Together they mounted the panels on the roofs and on the ground, set up the battery storage, and wired seventeen buildings across the school, its three hostels and the teachers' homes.

“It was a joy sharing with and helping the students from the university. All of us working together was inspiring for everyone.”– Hepisipa Matekitonga, solar technician, Clay Energy Fiji

Learning on the job

For the university students, it was hands-on time on a live installation, with experienced technicians beside them. Sereana Cabemaiwai, one of the students, says the week has made her more inclined to work in renewable energy.

“Knowing what I did, what I contributed to, will contribute to kids' lives in Ratu Naivalu, it's emotional for me.”– Sereana Cabemaiwai, engineering student, University of the South Pacific

From Waya to Suva

After the install, the crew took part in a women's leadership and capacity-building workshop. They worked through the obstacles women meet in the industry, from imposter syndrome to being passed over for promotion.

Then they took their story to the first conference of the Sustainable Energy Industry Association of the Pacific Islands (SEIAPI) in Suva. A whole session was given to building women's capacity in the industry, and Australian Associated Press covered the crew the same week: All-women crew helping solar energy push in Pacific.

We're grateful to the partners who helped bring the crew together; they're listed on our Women in solar page.