Watts Up Magazine wattsup magazine online | Page 38

TURNING GREEN
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Two Rivers
When Kenya’s iconic mall, Two Rivers, opened its doors
to the public last month, there was an unsung hero
somewhere in its shadows.
Astonfield Solar Company, a firm that installs industrial and
commercial solar power was waiting in the wings, having
spotted an opportunity. By Astonfield’s calculations, the
Two Rivers Mall project, the largest in Eastern Africa, has a
capacity to produce approximately 1.28 MW power.
The firm intends to connect the shopping mall with
advanced solar technology which will concurrently be
complimented by power from KPLC.
Deficit
Under its Indian owners, the company has been able to grow
and expand its services in different regions including Sub-
Saharan Africa. Here in Kenya, it has commissioned a number
of solar projects including Kaysalt, Doshi Group, InsteelSafal
Group and Two Rivers.
Astonfield had its work at the Two Rivers project already cut
out. The development is expected to buy power in bulk and
distribute it to its tenants.
With a solar system in place, it will offer the tenants a relief
in power cost as the installed system automatically picks the
solar power in priority bases during the day and when there
is low energy generation due to cloud cover then the grid
electric power patches up any deficit.
Storage
This will enable Two Rivers Mall to cut its energy bill by 30
percent as solar power takes preference during the day. Their
solar system has no storage capacity which is what makes
the solar power cheaper as storage increases cost by more 60
percent of any installation.
Over 150 solar panels have been installed, with a smart
system that integrates the PV power churned by the system
with that of the grid. The system quickly detects any
malfunctions as a result of low power production and a panel
can be replaced without interfering with the rest.
Seamless
Astonfield seamlessly integrates its solar systems with grid
and diesel generator thereby optimising the solar energy
generation to meet the demand.
The mall project has put the company on the regional map,
being one of its kind with respect to innovative technology,
green energy and power efficiency.
This shopping mall has been the talk of the city since its initial
predicted launch back in September 2016. It was launched on
February 14th 2017 and boasts of 207 shops, a three-star and
a five-star hotel, apartments and advanced infrastructure
38
WATTS UP MAGAZINE APR - MAY 2017