East Africa’s largest industrial solar power system construction has been completed two months ahead of schedule.

According to BizTech Africa, the 991 kW photovoltaic (PV) hybrid solar solution in Kenya – built in partnership with SolarAfrica, SMA Sunbelt and Harmonic Systems – will generate approximately 1.6 GWh of electricity per year. ‘Advanced technology ensures the effective integration of the SMA Fuel Save Controller, with the PV system, grid electricity and diesel generators allowing for complete utilisation of solar power for the factory,’ the article states. It will also offset more than 1 200 tons of CO₂, while in hybrid operation it will reduce roughly 24 000 litres of diesel per year – eliminating an additional 62 tons of carbon emissions.

The project made use of the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) financing programme run by the Japanese government. Noriko Ishibashi, a researcher at Japan’s Pacific Consultants, says the project will greatly contribute to joint efforts between the Kenyan and Japanese governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under the bilaterally agreed JCM.

7 March 2017
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