Taking sustainable living one step further with solar energy |21 October 2013

With the threat of climate change and its impacts on our daily lives, going green has become the new fad around the world. Some developed countries, such as Germany, have embraced this new lifestyle with gusto, while developing countries such as Seychelles, are trying to bring back lost or forgotten practices while embracing new technologies.

A family at Mare Anglaise have been doing just that. In addition to a home garden that supplies a steady source of fresh organic vegetables and fruit, the Wild-Jumaye family also buy local products whenever possible. Being avid fisher folk means there is also a steady supply of tropical fish at their dinner table.
 
The family live in a home built from sustainably harvested timber, which has been equipped with energy efficient appliances as well as water saving devices. The house is designed to be environmentally friendly, taking into account the four main criteria that determine human comfort in a home, namely wind, humidity, solar radiation and our tropical temperature.
 
“When it comes to climate change mitigation, every little bit counts,” says Roberta Wild. “But there should be less talking and more doing!”

This is why the family recently purchased a 2kW photovoltaic (PV) system from Sea and Sun Technology – the company’s 15th PV installation in Seychelles.

Sea and Sun Technology is a locally registered company that has been operating in Seychelles since 2009, when it set up its first 10kW PV system for a private household at Ma Constance.

Today, Sea & Sun Technology Seychelles Ltd boasts 15 installations across Mahé and Cerf Island with a capacity to produce 89kW of renewable energy from the sun, making it not only the largest installer of PV systems in Seychelles, but also the largest supplier of solar energy to the National Grid which is operated by PUC.  
 
“I want my grandchildren to enjoy the freedom I had growing up in a tropical paradise and so I try to teach my three kids to live sustainably,” says Roberta Wild.

“In addition to a sustainably designed home, we try to eat organic, conserve water and energy, enjoy outdoor activities, collect rainwater, make compost and now we produce clean, green energy from the sun!”