On May 12th 2020, Wawasa or WAWA Solar Ambassadors, completed its second Umuavulu solar installation. The first ever home solar installation in Umuavulu, completed by a local home-grown installation team – Wawasa, had previously been completed on March 31, 2020.
The challenge this time was COVID-19. The project team had just ordered the components for the installation: solar panels, charge controller, batteries and inverters when the Nigerian government banned interstate travels an attempt to control the spread of the virus. Solar parts remained in transit for seven days that seemed like eternity, but eventually arrived.
Weather conditions were great on the installation day: clear and sunny, impeccable blue skies with rays of sunlight blasting like powerful searchlights jamming the roof. The installation was flawless and uneventful. The unmistakable highlight of the day was the joy in the faces of the benefiting family as they realized that the cloud of darkness and random blackouts had suddenly been lifted. What a joy, indeed.