Ready to Launch: Road to 150 Installations
Since All We Are completed its 50th solar installation last December, with the help of our generous donors and partners, we’ve gained the confidence to set a new goal: 150 installations by 2024. Join us to see what steps we’re taking to prepare for this next phase in our journey to bring solar energy to Ugandan communities in need!
The Warehouse — AWA HQ
Global supply chain issues over the last few years have significantly slowed down the ordering process for new components. After our operations team requests components from our suppliers, our team has to wait for 4–6 months for components to arrive. With no dedicated space to store these components in when they arrive, we would ask schools to temporarily hold and monitor them before the installation.
To combat this issue, we repurposed 2 acres of unused farmland outside of Kampala, Uganda which we acquired several years back to include a storage facility that could house our components. We were able to do this from the money we raised during our 2018 Giving Tuesday campaign during which we raised $13,000 from our donors!
The storage this warehouse provides allows us to store our components in bulk and pull parts for installation after a new site is confirmed. It has considerably simplified our communications with suppliers as well as transportation to and from installation sites.
Improving Efficiency
To better manage information regarding components in our warehouse, we’ve created an app that the US and Ugandan teams use to track our components and the financial data associated with them, while gaining a quick overview of past installation sites. Tracking components by serial number allows us to link them with specific systems and their respective installation sites, which allows AWA staff on the ground to address system failures more effectively. Used in conjunction with a map of past installations, our technicians can also predict the end-of-life of our batteries and panels to prepare for future replacements.
As we aim to complete 150 more installations, we will need to maintain and improve the efficiency and reliability of our operations. Thus, our application is currently being improved to add new features that will help us improve operations. For example, data collected from site visits such as grid access and sunlight receptivity could be overlaid with Uganda’s geography to identify the best regions to target for future installs. We are continuously finding ways to make our solutions more time and cost-effective!
Straight from the Source
All We Are works closely with small businesses owners to purchase small components, like lights, switches, and wires. This allows us to stimulate the local economy and continue to build relationships with trusted supplies, even at a smaller scale. With these next installations, we will be hiring a team of part-time Ugandan installars to implement our work. One of our core values is buying and hiring local whenever possible.
Our Future
While we move forward, we want to reflect on our journey so far and recognize the people and institutions that helped bring us here! Completing 50 installations is an accomplishment we share with our staff in Uganda, the schools, health centers, and local leaders we work with, and all of our generous supporters! All private donations contribute to our operating costs and directly fund installations, so your monetary support is invaluable, especially as we increase our projected installations.
To take a look at our work so far, visit our site.
