BPPT to install solar panels in NTT

ATAMBUA, East Nusa Tenggara: The Office of the State Minister for Research and Technology and the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) are developing solar panels to generate electricity along the border with East Timor.

"Experts and technicians from BPPT are now installing solar panels in villages along the border," said a village development official, Marcus J. Mau, on Monday.

"There are 500 solar panels and the technicians have installed some 400 of them."

The six villages are Lookeu, Fatuae, Kofabiru, Tahirin, Modemo and Debululik, which are on the border with East Timor's Bobonaro and Covalima districts.

Marcus said the initiative to install solar panels came from State Minister Hatta Rajasa when he visited the area in January last year.

"The minister promised that he would give special attention to the area so it is not left behind in technological development.

"Now the villagers can enjoy better lighting in the evening," he said. -- Antara