Solar Power for Farmer Group Education Centre and Production House
In partnership with charity partner Action on Poverty, The SMEC Foundation funded the Solar Power for Farmer Group Education Centre and Production House Project, implemented between December 2024 and May 2025 in Sukaharja Village, Bogor Regency, West Java.
Rural communities surrounding Gunung Halimun Salak National Park often face limited access to reliable, clean energy. With high dependence on fossil fuels, these areas struggle with both environmental degradation and the high cost of energy, restricting progress and opportunity.
A 5.5 kWp off-grid solar photovoltaic system with an 800 Ah battery bank was installed to power two solar drying houses, a multipurpose community meeting hall (Farmer Group Centre), and sanitation facilities. By transitioning to renewable energy, the community has significantly reduced operational costs, increased post-harvest efficiency, and gained greater energy independence.
Beyond infrastructure, the project delivered technical training to 20 residents, including women and youth, on the operation and maintenance of the solar system. This has fostered local ownership, encouraged inclusive participation, and empowered women to take on leadership and production roles.
This initiative not only contributes to lowering carbon emissions but also promotes climate-conscious practices and long-term resilience for the community. We are proud to have played a role in supporting a cleaner, fairer energy future for Sukaharja Village and beyond.
We are very pleased to contribute to this project. The development of the solar power system and the FGC has given us the opportunity to share our expertise in renewable energy and witness its direct impact on the community. We hope this becomes the first of many more renewable energy initiatives we can carry out together with local communities.”
From Planning to Power: A Collaborative, Community-Led Journey to Sustainable Solar Implementation
The project was rolled out over a five-month period marked by a series of interrelated phases aimed at ensuring the community’s long-term capacity to utilise solar technology and operate their agricultural facilities sustainably.
Community engagement and needs assessment:
- The project started with a broad outreach to understand community needs, involving both men and women in shaping solutions to ensure local relevance and shared ownership.
Capacity building and training:
- As part of its capacity-building efforts under the JHET Program, the Puter Indonesia Foundation held a solar energy training for agricultural small enterprises, in partnership with PT. Infinite Inovasi Nusantara, to promote sustainable energy use in rural development.
Procurement of materials:
- Between December 2024 and March 2025 high-quality solar panels, inverters, and batteries were procured to support a solar power system tailored to Kampung Tapos’ long-term energy needs and environmental conditions.
- Local wood was used to build the Farmer Group Centre (FGC), blending traditional architecture with sustainable design to reflect Kampung Tapos’ culture and environment. This approach supports sustainability and strengthens community pride and ownership.
Farmer and production house building:
- Completed in February, the Farmer Group Centre is a multifunctional hub in Sukaharja Village.
- Built to support meetings, training, and farmer-led initiatives (especially empowering women and youth), the centre strengthens the Ketan Mas Farmer Group’s role in driving sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture through education and collaboration.
Installation of solar panels on the building:
- In April the solar power system was installed at the Farmer Group Centre, cutting reliance on the grid, reducing energy costs, and improving efficiency.
- Aligned with JHET’s sustainability goals, the project empowers local farmers and reflects strong collaboration between the community, local government, and stakeholders toward a self-reliant, eco-friendly future.
Testing, commissioning, monitoring and maintenance of solar power systems:
- The solar power system passed rigorous testing, confirming its high efficiency, reliability, and readiness for full operation at the education centre.
- Managed by trained local technicians, including women, the system now runs under a regular maintenance plan that builds community ownership and ensures long-term sustainability.
The Production House and solar power system are crucial for improving our production efficiency. These facilities help us manage our agricultural products more independently. We are grateful to Puter Indonesia Foundation and PT. SMEC for their support.
Project impact, monitoring and evaluation
The overarching objective of the project was to provide reliable and clean energy, fostering sustainable agricultural practices while promoting the adoption of renewable energy within the community.
The project placed a strong emphasis on community education, delivering training sessions focused on solar energy, climate change, and environmental stewardship. These sessions helped build awareness around global warming and encouraged the community to adopt more sustainable energy practices.
In addition to environmental benefits, the project significantly enhanced local agricultural productivity by extending working hours and improving post-harvest processes. It also created opportunities for greater participation by women in farming activities, strengthening their role in sustainable agriculture and promoting inclusive community development.
In May 2025, a final evaluation of the centre and solar system showed major gains in production, energy efficiency, and community awareness of renewable energy. The project also surpassed expectations in promoting women’s empowerment and reducing carbon emissions.
