Solar batteries for Ukrainians are made by Montpellier students

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Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the donations mainly concern food and medicine. We often forget about electricity. The NGO Coopdea therefore imagined ano solar battery. The first hundred copies are being assembled at the EPF engineering school in Montpellier. These “solar kits” will then go to Ukraine in regions where electricity no longer passes.

Keep in touch

Inside a small plastic case that seals the installation, there is a battery and USB sockets. “We can charge four phones at the same time as well as a computer and a printer”explains Antonin Aquarone, the president of Coopdea.

Solar kit developed by the NGO Coopdea © Radio France
– Valentine BERTRAND

These communication objects are essential in times of war. They allow you to stay informed: “The fact of stay in touch with loved ones, receive bombing alerts on his phone, it’s fundamental”continues Antonin Aquarone.

“That’s how we keep looking to the future” – Marcel Harrissa

Within the EPF engineering school, assembly line production has been established. Some cut, while others screw or weld. A dozen students take it in turns so that the hundred solar kits are ready at the end of June.

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Pierre, in his fourth year, joined this project spontaneously as soon as he found out about it: “We often forget it but energy is super important in conflict zones like Ukraine. So if we can help at our level, that’s great!”

Among the stakeholders in the project, there is also Marcel Harrissa, a Ukrainian who arrived in Montpellier in early 2022, before the war. He is now a member of the SOS Montpellier Ukraine association, created to organize solidarity for the country. “There are children who may (thanks to batteries, editor’s note) be able to continue to follow their lessons on the internet. That’s how we keep looking to the future.”explains this 30-year-old who is taking courses at the Montpellier Business School in parallel.

A 20,000 euro project

In total, this first delivery costs 20,000 euros for the NGO Coopdea. Two-thirds of the sum having been amortized by a donation from the Montpellier handball foundation.

For the future, Antonin Aquarone, the president of Coopdea, imagines going to the next level with a solar power plant installed on a trailer. New funding will then be needed.


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