INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Green Technology
Canadian Solar supplies
10 MW of modules to the
largest solar project in Uganda
Canadian Solar Inc., one of the world’s
largest solar power companies, has
announced that the company has
supplied 10 MW of PV modules to Soroti
Photovoltaic Plant in Uganda. The
project is the largest of its kind in East
Africa and was officially inaugurated at
the end of 2016.
The Soroti plant consists of 32,000
pieces of Canadian Solar high-efficiency
poly panels. This is the first solar plant
connected to the country’s grid and is
also the first in the east of Africa. The
10 MW solar system generates clean,
low-carbon electricity for 40,000 homes,
schools and businesses in the area.
The project was developed in 2016
under the Global Energy Transfer
cooperation programme – Feed in
Tariff (‘GET FiT’), a support scheme for
the development of renewable energy
projects in East Africa managed by the
German Development Bank (KfW). The
project was executed by TSK (Spain),
one of the most important solar EPC
contractors worldwide, with more than
1,500 MW installed.
“We are happy to be part of the energy
transition on the African continent.
Africa is one of the best places on earth
Dr Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Canadian Solar
for solar energy. At the same time, we
hope the solar energy development
there will also stimulate the economy
and create jobs locally,” Commented
by Dr Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Canadian Solar.
USTDA connects US
energy industry to
opportunities in Nigeria
on its tremendous solar
energy potential by scaling
up the deployment of off-
grid generation and mini grid
systems, ultimately increasing
access to electricity.
The US Trade and Development Agency
have awarded a grant to the Nigerian
company, Community Social Enterprises
Limited (CESEL), for a feasibility study
supporting the roll-out of 25 solar
photovoltaic microgrids across Nigeria.
Together, the microgrids will produce
more than 5 megawatts. The study will focus on
providing solar energy for rural
and peri-urban communities
that generally lack reliable
access to electricity. The
microgrid systems will operate on
a ‘pay-as-you-go’ structure using
mobile payments, with production and
consumption monitored on a real-time
basis. This structure ensures payment
and sustainability, as well as providing
consistent, reliable power at a lower price
than diesel generators.
This project will help Nigeria to capitalise CESEL selected the US firm, Renewvia
www.intelligentcio.com
Energy Corporation (Atlanta, GA), to
conduct the feasibility study. The project
presents opportunities for US businesses
to make sales in solar PV modules,
batteries, electrical equipment, control
systems and metres across Nigeria.
“We are proud to connect CESEL with a
leading US company on this important
project to expand energy access in
Nigeria,” said Lida Fitts, USTDA’s
Regional Director for sub-Saharan Africa.
“We’re delighted to be selected as
technical services partner for this
project with CESEL,” said Trey Jarrard,
CEO of Renewvia. “We look forward
to continuing development of solar
microgrids in sub-Saharan Africa and
we’re excited to play such an important
role in helping to advance Nigeria’s
support for off-grid power.” ¡
INTELLIGENTCIO
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