Via uses solar power for cyber Samoans

CHIP FIRM Via said it has set up a solar powered cyber community in Samoa, sponsored by the government's IT department.

Via said the South Pacific is only now beginning to start building IT readiness, and the village of Ulutogia in Samoa has so much sunshine that solar power was the logical choice for the huice.

The PC-1 info centre offers Internet access to locals and to visitors to the village and nearby communities. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Soliai Sailele Malielegaoi said: "For our next ten infocentres, I want the Via powered computers, monitors etc. I want anything solar as we have so much sun here in Samoa."

The set up includes three PC-1 machines and a PC-1 server plus external fax, scanner, copier and printer. These are powered by a dual 175 watt photovoltaic solar panel from Motech Industries.

More info and pix on the Via site, here. µ