Saturday, December 27 2014

The
Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets and its General
Partner VivaCell-MTS will mark the completion and present the outcomes of a
project implemented in Tsovagyugh community within the framework of the joint
Alternative Energy Project. The initiative included solar water heating system
and solar panels in the community kindergarten, as well as two solar electric
fences to protect animals and crops from wolves and other predators. The
concluding event was attended by VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian,
founder of FPWC Ruben Khachatryan, head of Tsovagyugh community Vahram
Gevorgyan, and the community residents.

 

The solar water heating system installed in the
kindergarten is energy efficient and environmentally friendly as it reduces
water heating costs by up to 50-60% in the winter and by up to 100% in the
summer. Besides, solar panels have also been provided to the village so that
the pump for the solar thermal system does not use any electricity.

 

The system includes 6 solar water heating collectors,
each of which comes with 30 vacuum tubes (total 180 vacuum tubes). The vacuum
pipes have a diameter of 70mm, which are the largest and the most effective
ones in Armenia (until now only 58mm pipes have been used in Armenia). The
length of each pipe is 2.1m. The system has double coils water tank with a 500
liter capacity and a pump station with controller.

 

To deal with the issue of wild animals, the village
will receive two solar electric fences made by one of the first and most
successful electric fence producers called Gallagher. The solar powered
electric fence will protect sheep and goats against wolves and other predators.
For many decades, this innovative solution has proved to be highly efficient in
developed countries around the world.

 

"The nature itself hints people that there are
easier and less costly ways to get energy. Why choose an option expensive and
harmful to the environment, when we can use the energy of the sun? In
developing countries the use of alternative energy resources is even more
important because it is an economically feasible option. The amount paid for
electricity can be saved and used for solving other vital problems and for
improving the conditions of life. In this respect the most vulnerable are the
regions in Armenia, especially those localities where winters are long and
severe, and therefore the expenditures for heating are big. We support the
"Alternative energy" project because it is aimed at solving two
important issues - protecting the environment and promoting welfare in rural
communities", noted VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

 

Tsovagyugh
community, located in Gegharkunik province, was established in 1828 and has a
population of 4318.