A solar-powered computer lab housed in a shipping container is giving some school children in KwaZulu-Natal their first exposure to computers while helping to address the country’s shortage of electrical infrastructure, building infrastructure and access to technology, according to ITWeb and SABC reports.

As South Africa’s power grid comes under increasing pressure, more solar-powered projects are coming online. The country’s Department of Energy has targeted 3 million South African households to be powered by solar energy by 2030 as alternative sources add to the national power grid, ITWeb reports.

A total of 47 projects have been awarded 20-year contracts in the 100-billion-rand Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme.

Umhloti Primary School in Verulam received the donation of a solar-powered computer lab from GiveITback in partnership with Poynting and African Union Communications.

The 12-meter, solar-powered container lab holds 20 computers and one server, and was developed  specifically for schools in poor areas.

Teaching young school kids to use computers in Africa is difficult.

“Our learners at our school have never ever been exposed to computer literacy,” said principal Badsha Adam in an SABC video. “This year has come like a dream for our school learners.”

It container lab is treated for rust, insulated against water and moisture and designed to run for seven to eight hours before the batteries are depleted.

GiveITback is a Durban-based company that designs and installs complete computer labs for underprivileged schools, according to ITWeb. The company claims to have completed more than 20 fully-functioning computer labs throughout the country over the past few years.

“This innovation holds great potential for bringing technology to schools in areas where help is needed most, to give their learners the best chance at a bright future,” said Jonathan Michael,GiveITback founder.