SMA Solar Technology AG from Niestetal, Germany, has put a photovoltaic / diesel hybrid system into operation on the Pacific island of Vava'u. The 500 kW system can generate up to 873 MWh of electricity annually and replaces approximately 225,000 litres of diesel.
"The SMA Fuel Save Solution enables a highly advanced integration of photovoltaics with diesel generator systems, without sacrificing operational capability, technical reliability or fuel efficiency," Executive Director Rodger Whitby of the Australian solar company Ingenero explains, which carried out the installation of the solar park.
The new system will reduce energy costs and dependency on fossil fuels for Vava'u, which has only used diesel generators to generate electricity up till now. According to SMA, the system will cover approximately 13% of the total energy needs of the island per year and can remain operational even in adverse weather conditions, such as heavy cloud cover, thanks to its storage unit. "The project significantly benefits from the SMA Fuel Save Solution, which helps stabilise the grid and prevents system failures," CEO Mark Twidell of SMA Australia says.
Jeannine Gehle
Photovoltaic Feed