One shopkeeper uses a single solar panel, mounted to the top of his shop, to power his printer. He runs a small-scale photography studio in the bazaar. Prior to the large-scale solar energy project, electricity was scarce in Nawa. Shop owners had to provide their own generator or solar panel to have electricity. Photo by Cpl. Meredith Brown

A single solar panel is mounted above a shop, a wire runs from the panel into the shop and attaches to a car battery, providing the only source of power for the shopkeeper. The storeowner operates a small photography studio, where he takes photos in his shop and prints them out for his customers.

Situations like this are common for the shopkeepers in Nawa district who do not have a central power source.

Many residents throughout the northern half of Helmand receive their energy from the hydroelectric power plant located at the Kajaki dam. However, the power supply does not reach Nawa, which is located in the southern portion of Helmand province.

Now, with the help of a solar energy project in the district, there is a new opportunity for the shopkeepers in the Nawa bazaar. Nearly 150 shops in the bazaar will be able to receive steady power from the project.

Capt. Brandon Newell, Expeditionary Energy Liaison Officer for Regional Command Southwest and a native of St. Amant, La., says this is the first type of large-scale solar hybrid project in Helmand to date.

“We’re not just trying to introduce something that’s sustainable into their community,” explained Newell who also holds an electrical engineering degree from Louisiana State University. “We’re taking something that they understand at a smaller level and trying to provide them an opportunity at a much larger, more centralized capability, which will be much more reliable.“

Two long rows of solar panels were put together, mounted and welded to the roof of the Nawa district governor’s compound and wires were ran to a large storage container where the power is converted into consumable energy. The energy runs to different meters throughout the bazaar.

Solar panels used to collect energy emitted by the sun are mounted to the roof of the Nawa district governor's compound, Dec. 29. Shop owners in the Nawa bazaar will be able to buy electricity on a pre-paid card for individual consumption in their shops. Photo by Cpl. Meredith Brown

At this point, shop owners can wire the electricity to their individual shops, where they will install a separate meter. The district governor will issue the shopkeepers pre-paid cards that they insert into their specific meter. The amount of wattage that the storeowners buy dictates the amount of electricity that they can use. However, once a certain amount of electricity is bought, there is not a time limit on when they must use the power.

Two local Afghans serve as maintenance operators who are responsible for keeping the system up and running once everything is installed. The money raised from selling the power, pays the operators’ salaries and the left-over money accumulates for later maintenance or expansion.

“We’re not trying to dictate what the end product is for them,” said Newell. “We’re trying to facilitate an opportunity for them to take ownership and run the system, to use it for the benefit of individual shops and the benefit the entire community,”

After walking through the bazaar and talking with the local Afghans, Newell said sewing, lighting and running fans in the summer were common uses for the power.

Once the batteries arrive in Afghanistan, the shop owners will also have the opportunity to stay open later. Because batteries cannot be transported through the Pakistan border, power will only be available during daylight. Once the batteries arrive, they will serve as a storage system for extra power collected during the day that can be used throughout the night.

Sarwar Akbari, a renewable energy engineer who has been working on the project over the past few months, said the project is important because it gives the locals a chance to reasonably use electricity.

“Before they were using generators and single panels,” said Akbari. “The shopkeepers in the bazaar are very poor people. They can’t prepare fuel for the generators and purchase individual panels. They are very happy with us that we are finishing our project and are about to install the meters.”

The project is expected to be completed within the next two weeks.

Story by Cpl. Meredith Brown
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Members of the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team inspect the Lahor Dag School, Aug. 12. The school is the next in the province scheduled to open and will be equipped with solar panels for electricity. Photo by Staff Sgt. Nathan Lipscomb

Four years ago children sat sprawled on the ground under a tree in the village of Lahor Dag, intently listening to their headmaster in a make shift school. Shortly after, The United Nations Children Fund brought them a tent for a classroom.

Today, the finishing touches are being made on a two-story brick and mortar school that will offer classrooms, furniture, offices and something many of the students do not have at home – electricity.

Lahor Dag is one of 13 schools currently under contract with the Kunar Provincial Reconstruction Team, each one using solar panels to provide the students with electricity.

“The schools are important to help expose the kids to different kinds of things,” said Brandon Toliver, an engineer with the Army Corps of Engineers, assigned to the Kunar PRT. “For some of these children, the concept of having power where you can just flip the switch is such a fairytale to them it will take something like this, where they can actually see it and say, ‘Wow, so this is what we learned about in science class.’”

Solar Is Cost Efficient
Implementing solar panelled electricity is a cost efficient option in this area. The panels are less expensive to purchase here than in the U.S. and the energy is renewable. Another feasible alternative is to use a generator to provide power for the schools, but with generators, fuel costs and maintenance issues become a problem.

“Electricity is very important in every place [and] without electricity there is no work possible because it is an essential part of life,” said Taj Safi, the head engineer for one of the groups of schools being built, which are categorized as bundles. “In factories, the machines could not run without [having] light, but if we use generators it costs too much and many people could not afford it.”

“Solar panels ended up being an easier solution for everybody,” added Toliver, who is from Pittsburgh, Pa., and graduated from the Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University with a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering.

Local Labor Needs Training
Though easier in some ways, installing electricity in a province where many villagers still live by candlelight presents its own unique set of challenges. There are very few electricians here and the contractors who do not already have electrical engineers on staff are required to bring one in.

“The way the contract works is [the construction company] has to use a majority of local labor,” explained Toliver. “So if I own a company and I hire a whole bunch of local laborers who do not have electricity in their homes and have not done any type of real safe wiring before, that’s the biggest challenge. But the reward is to have them be involved; just getting them that knowledge is helping them.”

The electrical laborers get training from both the PRT engineers as well as the site supervisors. The most common issue is the laborers are not used to running their wires through the wall and instead, connect everything directly to the power source. They do not use panel boxes or breakers.

“They’re not really thinking about the overall scheme of things,” said Toliver. “It’s very dangerous.”

Wiring of this kind can often cause fires or get people electrocuted. Another struggle, Toliver explained, is getting the workers to understand that specific wires can only handle a maximum amount of voltage.

The engineers conduct quality assurance and control checks on the schools at a minimum of every three weeks to ensure the projects are built to an acceptable standard so the Afghan people will have a safe and efficient structure. They also supplement their quality checks by reviewing photographs submitted by the contractor.

Lessons Learned
Further challenges are teaching equipment maintenance and the importance of regular upkeep. This was a valuable lesson learned the hard way at the Badad Kalay School where the system ultimately failed because the school maintenance did not know how to sustain the solar panels.

“In addition to proper installation, it is just as vital to properly educate future occupants of the schools about the necessary maintenance of solar panels,” Toliver said. “Fortunately, the knowledge from the Badad Kalay project is being applied to the school bundles to ensure these types of issues are less likely to occur.”

Though the engineers are doing their part to help, they emphasize to the villages that the long term affects of these projects, like the future of Afghanistan, lies in the hands of the Afghan people. The hope is that in the end, the solar paneling techniques the laborers learn will not just illuminate children’s classrooms, but eventually shed light on a whole village.

“After fitting [solar systems] in these schools, the electrical workers will be able to fit these systems in the local sector and utilize the sunlight for electricity and earn more money this way,” said Safi.

In the Lahor Dag School, classes have already started in the building with eager students sitting on the floor, even though the roof has not been finished.

“The children are excited, and as the construction gets closer to being finished it becomes more difficult to keep them away,” said Toliver. “They’re very hungry for knowledge.”

Soon the project will be complete, and 12 more schools are soon to follow. Yet as the engineers continue to rotate in and out, this group will always know they have left a light on for the children of Kunar.

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Story by 1st Lt. Amy Abbott

First Lt. Timothy McCormick, assistant operations officer, Brigade Headquarters Group, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, drinks freshly-purified water with locals. The water was cleaned with the solar-powered water purification system assembled here, Feb. 16. The system cleans out bacteria and diseases in the water, making it safe for locals to drink.

NAW-ABAD, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Marines with Brigade Headquarters Group, Marine Expeditionary Brigade–Afghanistan, assembled a solar-powered water purification system here, Feb. 16, in order to provide the community with clean, drinkable water.

Cpl. David T. Bernabe, a combat engineer with Brigade Headquarters Group, Marine Expeditionary Brigade-Afghanistan, opens solar panels on a solar-powered water purification system here, Feb 16. The water purification system can filter 60 gallons of water per minute. (Photo by: Lance Cpl. Franklin E. Mercado)

This is the first time the system is being used outside of Camp Leatherneck, said 1st Lt. Timothy McCormick, the assistant operations officer with BHG.

The system requires little to set up and is very efficient. The water purification system can filter water at a maximum rate of 60 gallons every minute.

Its ability to run with very little effort from the user makes the system simple. Because it is low maintenance and runs on solar energy, the only thing the user needs to do is change filters as they get dirty.

“The simplicity of the system makes this a great opportunity for these people to have clean water,” said McCormick. “The clean water will be rid of most of the bacteria and diseases it [typically] contains.”

Due to the contamination in the water, locals are not drinking as much water as they should, which leads to dehydration, said McCormick.
If the system is successful, it will encourage the usage of the purification system elsewhere, said McCormick.

“We filtered non-potable water through the purification system while it was on Camp Leatherneck,” said Navy Lt. j.g. Jefferson Moody, environmental health officer with MEB–Afghanistan. “The system got rid of most of the bacteria in the water and made it safe to drink.”

“Depending on how well the people are helped by the purification system, consideration will be taken to figure out where else we can set them up,” said McCormick.

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Story by: Lance Cpl. Franklin E. Mercado

More than 22 miles of roadway here and in surrounding communities are now fully lighted with 1,200 solar powered street lights, thanks to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region District.

The third and final phase of the project was completed recently by project engineers at Al-Anbar Resident Office, based in Ramadi.

“The administration of this project is an excellent example of USACE’s commitment to building Iraq’s technical capacity,” said Army Maj. Joseph Geary, officer in charge of the resident office. Iraqi engineers employed by Gulf Region District were key liaisons with local electrical department representatives and city leaders, Geary noted.

The project engineer was Nasir Elias, an Iraqi civil engineer who has worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for more than three years. He was assisted by Iraqi quality-assurance representatives Mohammed Kasim Abbas and Hussein al-Jaboree.

Solar power is widely recognized as a method for reducing the reliance on carbon-based energy generation and the resulting greenhouse gasses held responsible for global climate change. Solar power in Iraq, however, has a more palpable benefit. Iraq’s degraded power distribution infrastructure causes frequent and unexpected outages. Unlike Iraq’s electrical power grid, officials explained, the sun is a near constant.

In a country with limited power-generation capabilities, solar lights allow energy to be redistributed to areas of critical need. In an area where hard-wired lights may operate only for a couple of hours, a solar-powered light will provide continuous illumination through the night.

The final phase of the project was completed, Dec. 28, at a cost of $2.9 million.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Iraq has completed thousands of reconstruction projects in partnership with the U.S. and Iraqi governments. Since 2004, USACE has completed 5,257 projects throughout Iraq valued at more than $9.1 billion, and has more than 350 projects ongoing. The overall reconstruction effort in Iraq currently provides jobs for more than 20,000 Iraqis.

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By Scott Harris

Cpl. Jonathan Irwin (left center) and Staff Sgt. Dwaine Hood, both with Able Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, relax with local Mullahs, or religious leaders, and villagers at the Baraki Barak District Center while they wait for the last of the Mullahs to arrive, Sept. 16. The Soldiers of Task Force Spartan delivered Mosque refurbishment supplies and humanitarian aid packages to the Mullahs to distribute to local families. (Photo by Spc. Jaime’ De Leon, Task Force Spartan Public Affairs)

Mullahs, or Muslim religious leaders throughout Baraki Barak in Logar Province, Afghanistan, gathered at the local District Center to receive Mosque improvement packages, distributed by Soldiers from Task Force Iron Titan, September 16-17.

The Mosque kits included several large rugs, a smaller prayer rug for the Mullah, paint, a new speaker system, and light bulbs. Possibly, the most important part of the kits was solar panels to provide electricity for the Mosque.

Local families also received humanitarian aid packages including blankets, sweaters, rice, peas and other goods. Several humanitarian aid packages were also given to each Mullah to distribute to the neediest families within their local outreach.

“We gave away $85,000 worth of stuff in two days,” said Staff Sgt. Dwaine Hood, a forward observer with Able Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, who helps plan many of the troop’s humanitarian efforts.

Local villagers gathered alongside their Mullahs, ready to help transport the goods. With the hot Afghan sun beating down, everyone gathered in the shade while the paperwork was completed. With the help of an interpreter, Hood went down the list and identified each Mullah. Interpreters made last-minute calls to the few who were running late.

“I’m like the middle man,” Hood said. “I set up a meeting and make sure people are who they say they are. I also make sure the people who need to get stuff get it.”

Once everyone was identified and accounted for, the Mullahs each stood by their pile of goods. One at a time, the Mullahs brought in trucks and had the villagers from their area assist in loading the goods.

“The reason these packages are so important is because it upgrades the local Mosque, which in turn, shows we care about their religion and lifestyle and are here to help in any way we can,” Hood said.

“We gave away the Mosque packages to gain the support and trust of the people and to improve their lives,” said Army Cpl. Jonathan Irwin, infantryman, who also serves as Combat Outpost Baraki Barak’s COP Mayor.

Completing the paperwork and loading the trucks took several hours, but the recipients didn’t seem to mind as they each left in jovial spirits signified by their wide smiles.

“They seemed really happy,” Irwin said.

The Mosque refurbishment kits were only one of the many projects Able Troop has planned.

“We still have a lot of projects in the works,” Hood said. “We’ll be giving out more food, clothing and other goods in the near future.”

CJTF-82
Written by Army Spc. Jaime’ De Leon
Task Force Spartan Public Affairs

A medical provider at Ghazaliyah's recently-opened solar-powered clinic treats a child, Sept. 16, during the opening of the clinic. Photo by Pfc. Kimberly Hackbarth

The sun has been known to work overtime in Iraq by creating dry, hot summers and long, sun-drenched days.

In order to help the Iraqi Ministry of Health provide for the citizens of the Ghazaliyah neighborhood, located in northwest Baghdad, the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team “Dagger,” 1st Infantry Division, Multi-National Division—Baghdad decided to take advantage of the sun’s rays.

The solar-powered New Iraqi clinic in northern Ghazaliyah, which provides for about 300 people a day, was reopened in a ceremony, Sept. 16.

The clinic, which used to receive an average of two hours of power per day because of the strain on the national power grid, gets its energy from the sun and receives power all day and all night.

“It’s important because this system that we’ve installed will power this clinic continuously whether or not the national grid is working,” said Bristol, Conn. native, Maj. Andrew Attar, joint project management officer, 2nd HBCT. “It gives the community here that utilizes this clinic healthcare 24/7.”

The clinic is the third and final solar-powered clinic project for the Dagger Brigade, which is scheduled to redeploy to Fort Riley, Kan. this month.

“It actually started well over a year ago when the brigade that preceded us ended up trying to put a power clinic in Ameriyah, a location that was isolated. It was a great clinic there but it needed consistent power,” said Col. Joseph Martin, commander of the Dagger Brigade. “From that we have learned and placed two separate systems in the Dahkel Clinic in Hurriyah and this one, the New Iraq Clinic in Ghazaliyah.”

Because the clinic is totally powered by the sun, vaccines can stay refrigerated and the air conditioner can take away some of the stress of the heat while patients are waiting to be treated.

“Even if it’s cloudy for the next three days, the system that we have emplaced here will still allow this clinic to have power 24 hours a day,” Martin said. “It allows the doctors to focus on their patients instead of focusing on what is supporting them in the system.”

Because the solar-powered clinics were well-received by the people, the Dagger Brigade placed solar-powered street lights in northwest Baghdad and Abu Ghraib to keep markets opened longer and are working on a solar-powered courthouse in Abu Ghraib.

Attar said there has been much success with the solar-powered streetlights.

“The street lights we’ve found to be extremely effective. It keeps families and people out at night shopping, socializing and it promotes safe neighborhoods,” he said. “When you have light at night the change is remarkable. People are out eating out at restaurants, they’re out shopping at night; kids are out playing in the streets. It makes the streets safer.”

As the government of Iraq continues to build a more efficient relationship with the people of Baghdad, solar-powered technology remains as an advantageous way to do business.

“The people of Baghdad have benefited greatly from our learning with this technology,” said Martin. “This allows them to have a continuous amount of power throughout the day or night.”

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Story by Sgt. Dustin Roberts

Spc. Rachael Potts and an Iraqi engineer prepare to run dirty water through a solar-powered water filtration system at Forward Operating Base Hammer, Sept. 5. Photo by Pvt. Jared N. Gehmann, 82nd Airborne Division.

In an effort to provide a better quality of life for the citizens of Iraq’s Ma’dain region, U.S. paratroopers here put their time and energy into learning how to set up and operate a solar-powered water filtration system, Sept. 5.

Paratroopers assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Multi-National Division- Baghdad implemented a self-powered, energy efficient water filtration system to provide the area’s residents fresh, clean drinking water. However, for this system to be effective, regional leaders need to be shown how it works.

That’s where Phoenix native, Spc. Rachael Potts, a water treatment specialist assigned to Company A, 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, came in and put her knowledge to work to show some of the region’s engineers how to put the system to use.

“I got involved with this filtration system a few days ago while working on a reverse osmosis system,” said Potts. “But once I heard about this system, I wanted to see what it could do in order to help our Iraqi partners.”

The solar-powered system uses a series of hoses and filters to purify brackish or dirty water in areas where clean water is limited. The Ma’dain region, located on the outskirts of eastern Baghdad, is a vast, mostly desolate area were most water sources consist of dirty, mineral-filled wells.

The system can treat about 6,000 gallons of water a day. Despite its size, the system is also transportable in order to provide clean drinking water to even the most remote villages in the region.

“So far we have 25 of these systems to place all over the Ma’dain region in areas such as the towns of Narwan and Salman Pak,” Potts said.

During a demonstration of the solar-powered filtration system’s capabilities to local Iraqi engineers, Potts partnered with Abbas Hassan, the chief engineer of al-Nahywan Water Treatment facility, to demonstrate to Hassan’s fellow engineers how the system functions.

“The water filtration system is impressive because it solves both of the main problems we have right now, which is having access to clean water while also having a reliable power source to make the machine work and clean the water,” said Hassan.

Along with Potts, several combat medics assigned to the battalion’s Company C came out for the demonstration in order to receive hands-on experience with the system and witness the results of the water-cleaning process. To ensure the water was to the drinkable standard, the medics performed a series of quality assurance tests.

“It was amazing how much cleaner this water was after it ran through the machine,” said Spc. Wayne Terry, of Cartersville, Ga. “Clean water is a necessity for good health; bad water can be a leading cause of many health problems.”

U.S. and Iraqi leaders discussed their hopes of putting this system to use in the much-needed areas across in region in the near future. The system is also seen as a step in the right direction for the nation.

“We appreciate all the help the U.S. Army has given us in making our country a better place,” said Hassan. “As long as we keep pushing technology such as this solar- powered filtration system, I believe we will continue to accomplish our goals in rebuilding Iraq.”

DVIDS
By Pvt. Jared N. Gehmann, 82nd Airborne Division

Staff Sgt. Travers Brake, a cavalry scout platoon sergeant from Elkins, W. Va., assigned to 2nd Platoon, Troop C, 1st Battalion, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, points out the back of solar panels used to power a water-filtering pump as Sheikh Mohammed Shalal Syiar watches, Aug. 28. Photo by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

A series of intertwined, water-filled canals create a patchwork of green fields, abundant in crops near the section of al-Zooba, here, in Baghdad.

The intricate irrigation system provides essential water to the local farms but not to its inhabitants.

“Potable water makes the difference between getting disease. For us, it’s the difference between life and death,” said Spc. Stephen Palac, a combat medic, about the importance of available drinking water. “There are all kinds of bad organisms in that canal water which leads to lots of stomach problems.”

National Guard Soldiers of 2nd Platoon “Spartans,” 1st Battalion, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron, 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, visited one of five solar-powered water-purification pumps donated by U.S. Forces and Iraqi Security Forces to local Iraqis leaders in the area to fulfill the need for potable water.

“Before, the people got sick from the water,” explained Sheikh Mohammed Shalal Syiar, a local sons of Iraq leader, Aug. 28. “Then, we got our water from the pumping station, but it was difficult to get to and if the power was out, then no fresh water. The kids and young people need the water. Now, they come here by foot.”

The clean water from the local pumping station is their main source of water, when the electricity works. Since the neighborhood is at the end of the power grid, power failures are commonplace, said Staff Sgt. Travers Brake, a cavalry scout platoon sergeant from Elkins, W. Va., assigned to the Spartans. U.S. forces in the area recognized a need for portable water filters and filled that need.

“I have a schedule to run the pump,” said Mohammed. “Everybody in the area comes and gets water from here.”

According to Mohammed, about ten people come a day to get water and fill about 200 bottles.

“It’s a simple pump and a simple process,” explained Brake. “It’s very few moving parts and all solar powered. It’s got a battery bank and sucks power from the sun.”

Unfiltered water passes through a filter and out another tube, producing drinkable water.

“Security is number one and water number two,” said Mohammed.

Early in their deployment, the Spartan troops realized that taking care of the community and security are as intertwined as the canal system and the green fields.

“Specifically, this area is thankful to the U.S. forces,” said Mohammed. “They take care of the welfare of the families.”

“It shows we’re trying to help and not ask for anything in return,” said Palac. “It does help the security situation though. [The water pump] is a gift.”

In return, the Soldiers see increases in security gains and cooperation from the community.

“We’re real lucky in our area because the people are kind and respectful and we give that back to them and try to help out,” explained Brake. “They know we’re not here to harm them and we’re here to do good.”

Palac agreed, “It’s something that the kids see and think, ‘Hey, why don’t we try to improve this place too?’ But that’s up to them.”

The Spartans have done their part by bringing clean water to the community, providing security and building relationships. Now, as the young medic suggested, the rest is up to the people of Iraq.

MNF-I
Story by Staff Sgt. Mark Burrell

Ensuring energy use is both environmentally friendly and cost-effective helps to build Iraq’s security capabilities, a key infrastructure planner said here.

Air Force Lt. Col. Thomas N. Williams, an infrastructure planner for Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, said he’s found the best way to be environmentally friendly while saving costs is to ensure the highest possible degree of energy efficiency.

Three recent projects are good examples of how the command is weaving these various threads together, Williams said.

IMPROVED DISTRIBUTION
The first is an upgrade to the internal power generation and distribution system in Taji that will eliminate the need for more than 175 independent generators, consolidating their work to 25 generators operating in three sites. The ability to run fewer generators at peak power loads versus more generators at lower loads will increase efficiency by 40 percent to 80 percent, Williams explained.

“This should cut fuel demand nearly in half, saving an estimated $2.7 million per year in fuel costs,” Williams said. “Since fewer generators will be needed, there will be an additional $1.3 million per year saved in operation and maintenance costs.”

MAINTENANCE AND LOGISTICS
Another initiative is training conducted at 25 Iraqi Defense Ministry bases on the proper maintenance and operation of power generators. Training topics included fuel-consumption reduction, load balancing, preventive maintenance, leak detection, proper collection and disposal of used oil and hazardous material handling procedures.

“By employing these practices, the Iraqis can reduce their fuel consumption, pollute less and achieve higher energy efficiencies,” Williams said.

RENEWABLE ENERGY
The third endeavor is alternative-energy pilot projects. A contract has been awarded to provide a solar-powered water well at the Bashir border fort that will eliminate the need and the cost of trucking in water and fuel. On this same contract, a solar-and-wind alternative energy project is planned for the Shiha border outpost to provide power for lights, outlets, communication and security.

“These pilot projects will help determine the feasibility of such programs for Iraq, and possibly serve as models for future Iraqi green energy projects,” Williams said. “Energy-efficient projects can help support recent Iraqi security gains. We’ve found that good environmental practices and cost-effective approaches are complementary to our goal of assisting Iraqis to build their security infrastructure.”

DVIDS

Mahdi Jonny, an electrical engineer with the Joint Projects Management Office, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, checks the wiring on a series of solar panels on the roof of the New Iraq Health Clinic in Gazaliyah, Aug. 12. Photo by Sgt. Joshua Risner, Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

The roof of the New Iraq Health Clinic here in the Gazaliyah district looks a little different from the buildings surrounding it. Two rows of solar panels, collecting the bountiful Mesopotamian sunlight, now provide the building’s power through solar powered battery systems.

The addition is part of an ongoing effort by the Joint Projects Management Office (JPMO) of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, according to Maj. Andrew Attar, from Bristol, Conn., the JPMO chief.

“The solar panel project started in April, but like most of the clinics in Baghdad, various American funding sources have gone into it over the years,” said Attar. “The solar panels help to augment the electrical grid which is improving every day but still not consistent enough for a medical facility.”

Solar power has greatly improved operations inside the clinic, which services the local area, according to Attar.

“It pretty much powers the entire clinic,” he said. “We’ve had to reduce the number of refrigerated air conditioning units, but in their place we put air units that have less energy needs and still provide cool air.”

The JPMO inspected the solar power system to ensure that it was working efficiently and correctly, Attar explained.

“We inspected the [solar] panels but more importantly we inspected the internal wiring within the clinic to make sure the loads are properly segregated,” he said. “Some rooms require a lot of energy, some rooms require very little energy, so that is one of the finishing touches – if it’s not done right, it’s a problem. We’re making sure that a room requiring a lot of energy has the proper wiring so it can handle the load.”

Attar added that the quality assurance/quality control aspect of the project is equally important.

“Our job is to make sure that the money that the American tax payers are spending is used in accordance with the statement of work agreed upon by us and the contractors,” he said. “We don’t pay until the work’s done right.”

The New Iraq Health Clinic is the third clinic in Baghdad to receive solar powered battery systems, according to Attar.

DVIDS
By Sgt. Joshua Risner

Soldiers serving with the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team patrol the streets of a well-lit Kadamiyah, June 12. The lights installed are powered by the sun and don't rely on the national power grid.

U.S. Soldiers took a look at the lights illuminating the streets here and improved that concept with even newer technology.

Although solar-powered lights were present before the 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Team arrived in Baghdad to support Iraqi Security Forces through partnership, the leadership felt there were not enough lights and individual lights did not produce enough illumination.

“We were not happy with the quality of solar lights when we arrived,” said Maj. Andrew Attar, Joint Project Management officer, 2nd HBCT. “The lamps were low-pressure sodium and the light produced was dim yellow, yielding little visibility. Plus, the parts being imported were of low quality and malfunctioned frequently.”

After much research the brigade decided to make the switch to longer-lasting parts and a newer generation of lamps that produce more light.

“We came across induction lamps; they are more efficient than low-pressure sodium and produce bright, white light with great visibility,” said Attar. “You can literally see several hundred meters down a road at night, with almost day light clarity.”

The brigade informed the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity of the new technology and Attar said the ministry was very excited about the new technology, which can survive the elements of nature for long periods while alleviating the stress on the national power grid.

After recent sand storms the lights still worked when other lights did not.

Although they can weather the storms, Attar said it is important that the panels and light parts are cleaned regularly.

“The solar panels have a guaranteed life of 20 years and the batteries have a lifecycle of five to eight years depending on how clean the panels are kept,” said Attar. “If the panels remain heavily covered with sand for long periods of time, this will shorten the lifespan of the batteries.”

Without the lights, the business hours on the streets are also shorter.

“As we expanded the emplacement of the lights they became a safety measure along main roadways and markets, allowing businesses to stay open later,” said 1st Lt. Thomas Wilson, 2nd HBCT. “They have invigorated the local economy and allowed people safer areas to socialize and be active during the cool nights.”

As the scheduled year-long deployment of his unit draws near, Attar said he was glad the Ministry of Electricity was able to work with the brigade to install the lights in order to benefit the people.

“Solar street lights are important to our efforts here because when they’re done right with the right technology, they make the streets safer at night,” Attar said. “These lights help bring about irreversible momentum of positive, peaceful change to Baghdad.”

MNF-I
By Sgt. Dustin Roberts
1st Infantry Division

Col. Joseph Martin, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, speaks with Mark Powell, team leader of the 2nd BCT's embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team, on the roof of the Dahkel Clinic in the Hurriyah neighborhood of northwest Baghdad. The clinic is now solar-powered, allowing services around the clock. Photo by Sgt. Dustin Roberts, 1st Infantry Division.

Another health clinic in northwest Baghdad was converted to a solar-powered facility, when the new and improved Dahkel Clinic was unveiled during a ceremony in the Hurriyah neighborhood of northwest Baghdad, June 17. As the main health center in the neighborhood, the clinic provides care to nearly 500,000 Iraqi citizens.

Before the solar panels were installed on the roof of the clinic, it could only be powered for about six hours per day.

Now it can run for up to 24 hours per day.

“By using solar power we have rejuvenated this clinic,” said Col. Joseph Martin, commander, 2nd Brigade Combat Team. “Now the Dahkel Clinic has the increased capacity to preserve medicine through the use of vaccine refrigerators, incubators for newborns and other medical devices.”

Because of frequent power outages while running on Iraq’s power grid, surgical procedures were interrupted, vaccines were ruined due to the lack of refrigeration, and the limited supply of fuel resulted in patients being turned away.

“The green energy power supply eliminates all need for generators,” said Mahdi Jonny, bilingual and bicultural adviser, 2nd BCT. “With this great accomplishment we will give services for generations to come.”

The idea for the project came after the success of the Ameriyah Clinic in northwest Baghdad, which reopened with solar-powered capabilities earlier this year.

The brigade has also worked with the Government of Iraq to install solar-powered street lights throughout northwest Baghdad and Abu Ghraib County, just west of the city.

“The improvements being highlighted here are an example of Coalition forces’ ongoing partnership with the local government to provide essential services, specifically the Ministry of Health, in order to improve local health care capacity in Hurriyah,” said Martin. “We want to continue to chose projects that we can work together with the Government of Iraq, the district councils and the local neighborhood councils to complete, which are beneficial to the people of Baghdad.”

MNF-I
By Sgt. Dustin Roberts
1st Infantry Division

The Paktika Provincial Reconstruction Team working out of Forward Operating Base Sharana in eastern Afghanistan has planned and implemented a concept that utilizes alternative energy to power the Sharana District Center Hospital.

“It is a benefit, because we can afford something that requires little to no maintenance for them, and little to no operating cost, so it’s much more sustainable than generators,” said 1st Lt. Ryan Thrun, a Paktika PRT engineer.

The project is contracted out to Sustainable Energy Sources of Afghanistan, a non-government agency that will provide solar and wind alternatives.

“It is going to be two wind turbines, which will produce 7.5 kilowatts an hour. There will also be 24 solar panels installed on the top of the roof, which will provide 200 watts each, per hour,” Thrun said.

While the additions won’t create an exclusive source of energy, they will supplement the current energy sources, drastically improving the efficiency of the hospital.

“This is equivalent to a 15 kilowatt generator, based on our assessment of the typical efficiency and amount of wind that we anticipate,” Thrun said. “It will be sufficient to supply lighting power to the hospital. The hospital is still going to require generator use to run heating and cooling, and the cooler for the mortuary.”

Besides offering a low-maintenance solution, the wind and solar generation will considerably reduce monthly overhead costs.

“To run a 10 kilowatt generator each month costs approximately $800. So it is at least an $800 per month savings,” Thrun said.

To remedy the typical alternative energy challenges such as lack of wind or sunlight, the PRT plans to utilize an energy storage system.

“It is not going to operate at maximum efficiency all the time. Obviously at night they won’t get solar power,” he said. “However, there is a structure that will be installed with power inverters and battery banks to store all the generated electricity that is not being used.”

The project will not only benefit the hospital, but the results will be used as research to determine whether similar projects should be undertaken throughout Paktika province.

“This will be the first wind and solar project of this size for Paktika,” he explained. “It’s a test pilot project. The analysis at the hospital found that it would be a feasible project, and it will be used to support research done on the benefit of [alternative energy] for the rest of the province.”

The PRT and the Paktika government directors expect development and use of these projects to increase over the coming years.

“Anecdotally, looking at the wind and the amount of sunlight here, alternate power should be sought after and implemented at facilities of this size,” said Capt. David Bennett, the physicians assistant for the PRT, who works alongside the Provincial Health Director, Dr. Abdul Mateen, to assess and improve the healthcare situation in Paktika.

Bennett said the Director and local residents are excited and enthusiastic about the program.

In addition to the alternative energy solutions, the PRT has focused on several aspects of refurbishment for the hospital.

“We have several projects right now,” said Thrun. “We are redoing the road that goes around the hospital, we repaired the roof structure, we are constructing a kitchen building and a mortuary with all the necessary equipment and furnishing. We are also putting in some apartments for the family members of the patients.”

Bennett said the hospital currently treats more than 100,000 patients each year.

DVIDS
Story by Pfc. Andrya Hill

A busy marketplace is a common sight in the city of Nangalam during the day, but as night falls, the lack of electricity turns the bustling Konar province commercial center into a ghost town.

“By 6 p.m. all the shops would close and people would head back home, that way they wouldn’t be frightened by the [anti-Afghanistan forces], or injured when they were walking down a dark street,” said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Campos with the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), based in San Diego, Calif.

In order to increase security and commerce, Campos and his team of Soldiers from the 416th Civil Affairs Battalion recently began the installation of 25 solar lights in the city’s marketplace.

According to Campos, the team started with two solar lights on April 20 in order to gauge the citizens’ reactions. They responded so positively to the project that within a week, 20 lights were installed by local contractors, with five more to arrive soon.

“[Many] thought the idea of lights at night to be something that was only imaginable in their lifetime,” said Campos.

With the shops open and security improved, the flourishing city that has seen its population double in recent years, is expected to grow even more.

“We’re looking at possibly 10 to 15 percent increase in shops opening, and up to 35 percent more commerce and economic growth within the next year,” said Campos. “The lights are working.”

The Civil Affairs team already has plans to expand on the project, with 25 additional solar lights to be installed around the city’s outlying areas. By next year the team also hopes to finish its largest project, two micro-hydro power plants that will provide electricity to every home in Nangalam, and its nearby villages.

DVIDS
Story by Sgt. Matthew Moeller

In an effort to create a green environment, coalition forces are proposing to the Iraqis to build a reusable energy system with a combination wind turbine power plant and solar panels to support Iraqi border fort outpost around the country. This will provide a reliable power source to the watch tower and it would require minimal logistical chain to support the Iraqi Security Forces.

Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq, J7 Engineering is developing a concept to utilize renewable energy for future security of Iraq’s border, and using solar energy as a source of power for all the border outposts is a step in the right direction. The proposed location for the test project is the Al Shiha Outpost South; it was recently built by the Government of Iraq and is in excellent condition. The site has been previously wired, but it doesn’t have a power source installed. This location is accessible for trucks and can easily be monitored from COP Shocker, Zurbatiyah, Iraq.

The costs associated with completing this project is $220K—this includes site prep, wiring of the tower, power controlling, inverter and batteries. Solar panels and controllers will be part of the cost component, with the majority of funding being allocated for mobilization, design, profit and Golf Region District Army Corps of Engineers fees.

This wind turbine is the most economical option for the Iraqis as a power source because it provides 2,000 watts of energy with average wind above 14 mph, 24 hours a day without a generator or associated logistics. Solar panels will also be used because the location can provide 6 hours of full sunlight a day. There will be a portable room heater available for the winter months and equipment for cooling of electronics for the summer months. The batteries will provide backup power to the plant for 10 hours with no wind, and longer if power usage is conserved. Currently, they use car batteries primarily to keep the radios operational. The inspection and maintenance on the wind turbine will occur yearly, with periodic inspections of the batteries, terminal lugs and other electronic devices used to assist in its operation. For optimal performance, the system should be kept in a clean, dry space between 50 and 80 degrees fahrenheit.

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col Tom Williams, Ph.D, P.E. Planning, MNSTC-I stated, “MNSTC-I’s role is to build the infrastructure so the Department of Border Enforcement can achieve their mission of protecting the borders. We are pushing to complete this project with ISF funds by the end of this fiscal year so we can hand over the concept to the GoI for their considerartion and possible implementation. This is a step towards the United States and Iraq meeting the requirements of the Security Agremment.”

MNF-I