Using Renewable Energy to Include Off-grid Rural Schools into the National Equity Project Plan Ceibal

This work presents the main results from installing Internet access equipment and laptop charging mechanisms in off-grid schools based on photovoltaic energy sources. The main characteristics, faced challenges and solutions are described. The installations where held in two public schools where Plan Ceibal -a nationwide project to achieve equal access to information, knowledge democratization and educational improvement- is being carried out. The project involved the design and installation of the hole system, including batteries, photovoltaic cells, connectivity equipment and laptops, as well as the development of useful devices to interface with the system. These two pilot schools are being monitored in order to gain experience before installing 220 off-grid schools.