FAKFAK – Patriot Expedition Team VII of Hasanuddin University (Unhas) held a Pojok Energi Surya Pala (Nutmeg Solar Energy Corner) workshop at the East Fakfak District Office, Fakfak Regency, West Papua. The activity introduced two prototypes to the Weri–Saharey community: a Mini Solar Dryer for drying nutmeg, and a Solar Learning Kit for learning about solar energy.
The Mini Solar Dryer session was facilitated by Ir. Rudi, S.T., M.T., a lecturer in the Unhas Department of Mechanical Engineering. A total of 20 participants from farmer groups and nutmeg grower groups took part. Participants first received a presentation indoors, then saw how the device works and held discussions with the team outdoors.
During the discussion, Imran Tunggin, a member of a farmer group, asked about the device’s capacity to handle up to around 10,000 nutmegs. The question served as input for the team, because the device demonstrated was still a small-scale prototype.
“At this workshop, the dryer has not yet been tested with nutmeg, because the local harvest is expected to take place in October 2026. The team plans to provide assistance with its use once nutmeg is available,” said Rudi.
The Solar Learning Kit session was facilitated by Ir. Muh. Izzul Islam AS, S.T., M.T., a lecturer in the Unhas Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Study Program. Around 20 participants from public facilities, including the community health center (Puskesmas), the local police, and teachers from the SD Weri and SD Saharey elementary schools and the SMP Fakfak Timur junior high school, as well as community members and the East Fakfak District Head, attended the presentation and the demonstration of the device.
Yokana Ardamis of SD Weri raised the issue of electricity for the school’s Starlink internet service. According to Yokana, the service depends on a solar power system (PLTS) and can currently be used only from around 09:00 to 11:00. Yokana’s question prompted a discussion about the need to check power requirements, battery capacity, and system components so that the electricity supply matches the hours of use the school needs.
East Fakfak District Head Gani Samai, S.E., who attended both sessions, welcomed the activity.
“In my view, both devices are very useful. I also see an opportunity to apply something like this in Weri–Saharey,” said Gani.
The leader of Unhas Patriot Expedition Team VII, Dianti Utamidewi, S.T., M.T., said the participants’ questions helped the team determine its next steps.
“We are glad that residents and teachers did not just look at the devices but also told us about their needs. Mr. Imran’s question about the dryer’s capacity and Ms. Yokana’s experience with electricity at the school have become important input for us,” said Dianti.
The workshop, held on Thursday, 17 September 2026, at the East Fakfak District Office, then continued with a live demonstration of how to operate the two prototypes. (*/tep)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.