KwaZulu Natal school gets solar computer lab

21 January 2015 - 16:58 By Times LIVE
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Umhloti Primary School in KwaZulu Natal has just received a new Solar Powered computer lab according to a charity.

The lab was set up by social enterprise giveITback in partnership with Poynting and African Union Communications.

While giveITback has installed 21 computer labs throughout the country since it was founded in 2011, this is the first lab to run off of renewable energy.

It can apparently run for seven hours before it needs to recharge.

Because the lab is solar powered, the lack of electrical infrastructure in the area is no longer a barrier to providing IT skills.

As it was set up in a shipping container, it also avoided having to deal with the school's lack of building infrastructure.

“This innovation holds great potential for bringing technology to schools in areas where help is needed most, to give their learners the best chance at a bright future,” says Jonathan Michael, founder of giveITback in a media statement.

It is also quite affordable.

“Despite the state of the art technology used in the Solar PC Lab, it is currently the most economical solution available, retailing at only R450 000,” Michael explained.

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