Construction and operation of a pilot model of solar hot water system in Gyumri special school #3 for children with mental disabilities

Project Details & Results

The project aims to promote the use of innovative low-carbon technology through construction and operation of a pilot solar thermal energy system in Gyumri special school #3 for children with mental disabilities and knowledge transfer throughout communities with solar energy potential. The school accommodates 122 children and has 65 staff members. Being a boarding institution, the school has a considerable demand of hot water all the year round for food-making and sanitary purposes.  

As a result of application of solar hot water system in the school, daily use of at least 30 m3 of natural gas will reduce which will ensure monetary saving of US$ 5,500 to the school and prevent 25 tones of CO2 emissions in the atmosphere yearly.
As part of capacity development, the project envisages preparation of training-demonstration working models of a typical solar thermal system, which will be distributed among educational institutions and resource centers to use as a practical training tool.

The project will produce the following outputs:

• Installation, piloting and testing of a solar thermal system in the school,
• Support the establishment of a resource center in the State Engineering University Gyumri branch where different innovative renewable energy sources use technologies will be taught as part of educational curriculum,
• Development of training-demonstration working models of solar systems and provision to different educational and resource centers,
• Practical trainings on operation and maintenance of a solar thermal system for school personnel, educational institutions, NGOs and other stakeholders.