This term, Year 9 Design and Technology students had the opportunity to participate in a meaningful incursion with Solar Buddys, as part of the Solar My School initiative run by the Inner West Council.

The focus of the project was to raise awareness about energy poverty—where millions of people around the world lack access to adequate energy, affecting their ability to perform basic tasks like studying or working after dark.

During the incursion, students explored the significant challenges faced by communities in countries such as Tanzania, the Dominican Republic, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cambodia, India, and Madagascar, where reliable electricity is scarce. They learned that nearly 10% of the world’s population lives in energy poverty, according to the Rockefeller Foundation, and that providing consistent, safe energy is a critical first step in helping these communities lift themselves out of poverty.

The highlight of the incursion was the assembly of solar panels with incorporated lights designed by Simon Doble of Solar Buddys, an organization committed to bridging the gap of energy poverty by providing solar-powered lighting solutions. These solar panels and lighting solutions will be sent to children and families in energy-poor regions, giving them the ability to study and perform daily tasks after dark. As students assembled the panels, they not only gained valuable skills in design and technology but also a deeper understanding of the social and environmental impacts of energy poverty.

In addition to building the panels, students wrote personal letters to the recipients of the solar lights, sharing their experience and offering a glimpse into their own lives. This personal touch added a heartwarming connection between the students and the families who will benefit from the lights.

This project not only provided a hands-on learning experience but also instilled in students the importance of global responsibility and the power of innovation in improving the lives of others. I would like to thank the Sonya Williams, Renewable Energy Innovation Officer at the Inner West Council for her instruction and dedication to this initiative for our schools in the Inner West region.

There are opportunities to support this much needed initiative, for more information visit: https://www.solarbuddy.org/about/

A student perspective by Mila Year 9, DT

My design technology class have gotten the opportunity to participate in making a solar buddy, solar buddy is a charity that makes lights that provides safe, renewable, effective and innovative solar energy solutions to communities around the world who suffer from energy poverty. I have really enjoyed learning about this topic, and I am very grateful that my teacher gave us the chance to take part in building a solar buddy as a class.