Article and photo courtesy of The Jane Goodall Institute

August 1, 2005 — The generator used at Gombe Stream Research Centre (GSRC) to power most electronic devices will soon be relegated to emergency use. This is not a cost-cutting measure meant to send GSRC seemingly further back in time but in fact it is a sign of the future. A solar power system is about to be installed at the research site Jane Goodall made famous and in the neighboring village of Kigoma.

Researchers at GSRC do their fieldwork during the day, and analyze and transcribe notes after dark. The current power supply is less than modern.

"We're still using kerosene lighting and running gasoline generators in order to go about our work: processing data, running computers, editing video, things like this," said John MacLachlan, technical advisor for JGI-Tanzania.

Thanks to a partnership between the Jane Goodall Institute and the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), a Washington, DC-based nonprofit which develops and promotes use of solar energy in developing countries, help is on the way. Solar power systems are being installed at GSRC in the research office, videography office, Jane's house and other buildings on site, as well as in Kigoma to power a water-pumping system for TACARE tree nurseries and an interactive fountain display at JGI's Education Center.

"This is an excellent use of appropriate technology and renewable energy to make our research efforts at the Gombe Stream Research Center, and our operations at the JGI-Tanzania Education Center, both more efficient and effective," said Keith Brown, Executive Vice President of Africa Programs.

"It allows us to accomplish all the work we need to get done using renewable energy," MacLachlan said. "We're all very excited — the researchers will have the light they need and also will be able to use computers more systematically."

At JGI's Education Center in Kigoma, solar technology will power a pump that moves water from Lake Tanganyika to a water tank. The tank will supply water for the TACARE nurseries and for most of the Education Center's water needs. The Education Center currently uses chlorinated water from town, which is expensive. Now the facilities will be able to use lake water for 95 percent of their needs, especially for tree seedlings at the two TACARE nurseries.

Additionally, a fountain at the Education Center will use solar power to teach the public about solar energy. Visitors can interact with the fountain, for example covering a solar panel to make the fountain's water pressure decrease. JGI's TACARE program offers an innovative model of community-centered conservation, which addresses human needs while promoting conservation values.

JGI staff at GSRC and in Kigoma recently completed training on how solar power works. Villagers in Kigmoa also participated in solar power workshops meant to spread the news of the arrival of solar power and its benefits.

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