The Cheetah Rescue and Conservation Centre at Geed Deeble, Somaliland, is an 800 hectare rehabilitation facility for sick, injured and orphaned cheetah cubs.
The cubs in their care are often confiscated from illegal wildlife traders by the government Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MoECC). Additionally, persecution from livestock farmers – who sometimes erroneously suspect a cheetah of predation – frequently leads to orphaned cubs.
Operated by the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF) – whose founder Dr. Laurie Marker is a research scientist and conservation biologist – the centre is home to 100 cheetahs. With an estimated 6000 animals left in the world the cheetah – the world’s fastest land animal – is classified as Vulnerable.
Exotic animal traders often seize cheetah cubs when they just weeks or a few months old. Sometimes injured during capture and often malnourished, most will require long term veterinary care. Even as adults, they can never be released back into the wild.
This is the first facility of its kind in the Horn of Africa. The comprehensive facility includes a clinic; education and training facilities; accommodation for eco-rangers, visitors and staff; refrigerated storage; dining facilities and dormitories. It is also open for public tours, with the purpose of educating local and international visitors about Somaliland’s ecosystems and indigenous wildlife.
Wilderness electricity?
Until three months ago the facility was powered by two generators running a day and night shift at a cost of $4000US in fuel alone, but a new solar power installation now provides 98% of their substantial power requirements.
The walk-in freezer for the storage of feed-carcasses contribute to peak loads of 30kW – ambient temperatures in Somaliland are 35°C. Also, water has to be pumped via three kilometres of piping to serve six 10,000 litre tanks.
Solar Power – silent, reliable, free.
The solar power system which was installed by SolarLandAfrica comprises of 112 solar panels offering 50kWp. Energy is harvested by four SmartSolar MPPT RS 450/200 solar charge controllers. These high-voltage devices are ideal for controlling large solar arrays and can be daisy-chained for synchronised battery charging from extensive solar arrays. Each RS 450/200 device has four solar trackers on board.
Power is stored in forty 5.12kWh lithium batteries offering a total capacity of 204.8kWh. Six Quattro Inverter/Chargers are configured to provide 3-phase 90kVA power output. (It is possible to parallel connect up to four sets of three Quattro devices to provide a maximum 180kVA).
Remote system monitoring and control – with VRM
SolarLandAfrica are able to monitor and program this system remotely via the free-to-use internet based platform Victron Remote Management (VRM).
Instant engineering access using VRM provides historic analysis of each device; firmware updating; and fine tuning of program settings to ensure optimal power harvest and storage. Access can be gained from anywhere in the world with an internet connection.
Remote access to this and any other installation is facilitated using a GX communication centre device – in this case a Cerbo GX – which harmonises data communication across the system comprising Victron and third-party devices.
The off-grid power infrastructure easily meets the demand from high-start up and power draw equipment – such as the welding machine. The 15kVA Quattro inverters are each capable of providing a peak power output of 25000W.
Left to Right: Mahamed Eid, Technician; Leila Omar, Founder and Managing Director of SolarLandAfrica; Muse Bihi Abdi – former President of Somaliland; Admed Mohamed, Engineer; Mika Häikiö, Partner SolarLandAfrica
