Solar power for biodiversity monitoring in the Peruvian rainforest

Solar systems for a e-DNA research project in Peru ensure a sustainable energy supply for research and forest ranger stations.

07/10/2024 Reading Time: 1 min

The Wilderness International Foundation aims to protect rainforests by buying forest areas and conducts scientific research on the areas. Solar systems were installed in the two research and forest ranger stations in the Peruvian rainforest in April this year, supported by the Audi Environmental Foundation, to replace the diesel generators.

The stations are the home of forest rangers and researchers. In a scientific cooperation with ETH Zurich, they are working on a pilot project to take environmental DNA samples from the treetops of the Peruvian rainforest using drone technology to monitor biodiversity.

The two solar systems make life and work much easier, as solar power is now available at any time and laptops, camera batteries and lamps are always ready for use for research missions at night. The solar systems even make it possible to store energy for several rainy days. This ensures a sustainable power supply that replaces the generators previously used. The solar power grid now saves 3,500 liters of gasoline per year.

The solar panels were set up as a green classroom so that the forest guard station could become a place for community and environmental education projects in the future.

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