Zanskar 2007 - Lamdon Model High School

Rishi and Jos went up to Zanskar, Ladakh in July 2007 to install a 450 Wp hybrid solar-diesel installation at the Lamdon Model High School in Ufti, near Padum, the main settlement in the remote Zanskar valley.

The Drang Drung glacier, at the "gateway" to Zanskar

The drive alone, in a taxi from Delhi, took 5 long days: Delhi-Manali, Manali-Pang, Pang-Leh, Leh-Kargil and finally Kargil-Padum. All materials (solar panels, batteries, inverters and accessories were carried in the same taxi to the installation site.

All went well, and the school can now run its computers and printer on solar energy, as well as the lights (and a TV) in the teacher's quarters next to the school. Only in case of cloudy days and excessive usage will the diesel generator have to be switched on.

This is saving the school lots of fuel as well as cuts the noise pollution substantially.

Here are some pictures:

View from the roof of Lamdon Model High School, Ufti, Zanskar

Rishi in action on the 450 Wp solar array

and Jos working on the inverters in the "control" room

The locals seem unimpressed... :-)

The system was funded by Aide au Zanskar (AaZ), from France.
New projects seem to be already in the pipeline for next year, so hopefully we'll be back in Zanskar in 2008!