Jakarta, INTI - The limited supply of reliable electricity remains a major obstacle to learning, especially in frontier, outermost, and underdeveloped (3T) regions. To address this challenge, a research team from Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (UMM) developed SuryaPod.
SuryaPod is a portable solar power plant (PLTS) designed to support energy independence and as a learning tool in the educational sector. The portable PLTS has been implemented at SMP Negeri 2 Nubatukan, Lembata Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
The head of the UMM research team, Prof. Dr. Yus Mochamad Cholily, M.Si., stated that SuryaPod is the result of research supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology as part of a program to strengthen energy independence through the education sector.
"This program is a research project from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology on energy independence realized through education. Therefore, UMM has created learning media that can be used directly by students in schools," he said.
SuryaPod was developed by a cross-disciplinary UMM team consisting of Prof. Yus Mochamad Cholily, Prof. Dr. Machmud Effendy, M.Eng., Prof. Dr. Ahsanul In'am, Ph.D., and Basri Noor Cahyadi, M.Sc. This system has a capacity of 4,000 watts, but optimally operates at 1,000 watts to maintain battery life while meeting the electricity needs of the school's computer lab.
Students can Also Learn about Solar Energy
In addition to functioning as a power source, SuryaPod also serves as an educational tool that introduces students to the use of solar energy. Students can learn firsthand about the solar power generation process, thereby enhancing their understanding of renewable energy and the importance of clean energy and environmental sustainability.
The principal of SMPN 2 Nubatukan, Deassy Erlina Lainata, welcomed the implementation of SuryaPod. She appreciated the support from the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology and UMM, which not only provided solar panels but also provided teachers and students with training on clean energy utilization.
Going forward, SuryaPod is expected to provide a solution to limited electricity access in remote areas while also encouraging the emergence of a younger generation that is more concerned with innovation and environmental sustainability. The collaboration among UMM, the government, and schools is a concrete step toward expanding clean energy literacy and supporting sustainable development in Indonesia.
Conclusion
UMM developed SuryaPod, a portable solar power plant (PLTS) implemented at SMP Negeri 2 Nubatukan, NTT, to overcome electricity constraints and support learning in the 3T region. This research innovation, supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, has a capacity of 4,000 watts and is used to meet the electricity needs of the school's computer laboratory. In addition to providing energy, SuryaPod also serves as an educational tool that introduces students to the use of solar energy and the importance of renewable energy.
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