Friday, August 28, 2015

First Utility-scale Solar Power Plant to be Built in West Africa

An agreement to Build-Own-and Operate West Africa's first utility-scale solar power plant was signed here today by Scatec Solar and its partners, the Malian Ministry of Energy and Water and Electricité du Mali (EDM), the electricity utility of Mali. To be located near the ancient city of Segou in South-East Mali, 240 kms from Bamako, the 33MW solar project is being developed in partnership with IFC InfraVentures and the local developer Africa Power 1.

Annual production from the 33MW solar power plant is estimated to be 60,000MWh. The ground-mounted PV solar plant will deploy approximately 130,000 PV poly solar panels on a fixed tilt system and will connect to an existing transmission line. The power generated from the plant represents five percent of Mali's total electricity consumption, equal to the electricity consumption of 60,000 households. During the construction phase, the project will provide 200 local jobs.

Speaking on the occasion, the Malian Minister of Energy and Water, Mr. Mamadou Frankaly Keita said: "This landmark agreement signals the Government's commitment to meet the nation's growing energy demand and to provide clean, renewable and affordable energy to our people".

The Oslo-headquartered company's CEO Raymond Carlsen says: "This project is another great milestone for Scatec Solar. After several years of development efforts in the region, we can now move forward with the first utility-scale solar plant in West Africa. The Malian Authorities have demonstrated decisive will to tackle the nagging issue of power supply."

"One of the pillars of the World Bank's Country Assistance Strategy for Mali is to increase access to energy, a development fundamental. IFC InfraVentures' partnership with Scatec Solar and Africa Power 1 helps advance this strategy through Scatec Segou, part of a series of renewable energy projects we are developing in the country," said Alain Ebobisse, Global Head of IFC InfraVentures.

Dr. Ibrahim Togola, the chairman of Africa Power 1 SA and General Administrator of Scatec Solar West Africa SA says: "Today's event is historic because Mali now becomes the first country to install the largest solar grid-connected power plant in the region. This high-profile joint-venture in which Malian citizens participate will serve as a model to launch the solar era in West Africa." 

In an era of climate change concerns, the 33MW Segou solar power plant is an important initiative to reduce carbon emissions in the power sector in West Africa. When completed, the plant will reduce CO2 emissions by about 46 000 tons.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Photovoltaic Solar Panels to Be Installed Free Of Charge on 1,000 More Homes in Cambridge

Photovoltaic solar panels will be received for free on 1,000 extra homes in South Cambridge District Council, England, adding to the council’s already extensive PV roll-out.

On top of the 1,000 households expected to receive the installations, almost 40 sheltered housing scheme communal rooms will benefit from photovoltaic solar panels and will receive free electricity during the day as it is generated.

The council has tasked Mears Ltd to fit the solar power systems with work expect to start later this summer after properties have been selected based on their design and position.

Tenants will receive the installations free of charge and the council expects each household to save approximately £210 a year on their energy bills. The scheme will be financed through the government’s feed-in tariff.

The installations form part of a multi-million pound energy efficiency programme being funded by the council, which has installed in excess of 2,000 rooftop solar systems to date.

Mark Howell, cabinet member for housing at South Cambridge District Council, said that the council was delighted more tenants would be able to benefit from the scheme in the future.

“Tenants will immediately see the benefits of free electricity during the day while also improving the district’s supply of clean, renewable energy.

“We are committed to encouraging low carbon and sustainable living in the district and offer support to homeowners and those in the private rented sector as well as council tenants. I hope this scheme may encourage them to look into the possibilities and help available to improve their homes too,” he said.

Friday, August 21, 2015

Solar LED Integrated Lights Unveiled By Greco

Solar LED integrated lights, are currently the most innovative solar lighting systems for outdoor use. It is considered as the next generation of lighting system for roads, streets and other open air places.

Originally developed by Greco Solar China, with the company cutting edge solar power technologies, these integrated solar LED lights have a revolutionary 'all-in-one' design structure, unlike any other traditional solar lights you can find in the market. All of the components have been combined into a compact and weather proof body, with no external wiring and connections. No cabling or trenching needed for users.


solar LED integrated lights

One of the features of the solar LED integrated light is that it adopts high efficiency lithium-ion batteries (LiFePO4) as its energy storage unit, while most of others use lead acid batteries. This ensures a longer service life of integrated solar lights comparing to ordinary lights. The lithium battery pack is built in the body, together with solar panel, LEDs and intelligent controller, etc.

If you would like to light up your small gardens or courtyards, these 5W integrated solar lights should be a good choice. The 5W integrated solar light from Greco Solar is the smallest outdoor solar light, which has multiple features. It has a built-in light sensor, that can automatically turn on the light at dusk and turn it off at dawn. The solar panel harnesses the sunlight and generates solar electricity in the daytime, provides power charging to the lithium batteries. The battery pack will automatically power the LED lamp at night. The 5W integrated solar light offers a 5VDC USB port on its shell, so that users can use it to recharge mobile phones or small electronic devices.

Its Battery Capacity Display is 4 LEDs, from which you could know roughly the remaining level of battery power. The 5W integrated solar light also has a built-in motion sensor that is able to regulate the light output between bright mode and dim mode.

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Integrated Solar Lights, Facts and Advantages

Integrated solar lights, also known as integrated solar street light, is a perfect combination of high efficiency solar panel, long life lithium-ion battery, high efficiency LEDs and intelligent controller, PIR human body sensing module, security mounting brackets and other functional elements. A smaller power integrated solar light is also called integrated solar garden light. As a leading solar power company, Greco Solar is the pioneer of solar LED integrated lighting technology and solution in the world.


integrated solar lights
The integrated solar lights use solar panels to produce electricity, and to charge the lithium batteries inside the lighting fixtures. During the day, even on cloudy days, the solar panel harnesses the sunlight and converts it into electrical energy, which is then stored in lithium battery, to automatically provide power to LED lamp at night. With the inclusion of PIR human body induction module, the working mode of integrated solar light can be regulated intelligently at night. It is on 100% brightness when a human motion is detected, and automatically changes to 1/3 brightness when there is no human activity. Through this way, the light can save energy and extend its working time. At the same time, solar energy, which is inexhaustible, safe and environment friendly, plays an important role in integrated solar lighting solutions.

Both integrated solar street light and integrated solar garden light are members of Greco integrated solar light family. The compact style of these lights from Greco Solar has incorporated the current best green items (solar panels, super bright LED light source, lithium iron phosphate batteries). With human intelligent sensing system, the Greco integrated solar LED light has achieved lower power consumption, longer working time, and maintenance free for least 5 years from installation.

The integrated solar lights are suitable for installations in various traffic roads, residential pathways, yards, mining areas, off-grid places, parks, parking lots, rural areas, providing bright and reliable night time lighting, with solar as its energy supply.

The advantages of integrated solar LED lights are light weight and easy-to-install. Generally, two persons could complete the installation with a wrench within 10 to 20 minutes.

The integrated solar light adopts integrated design, which is simple, stylish, light weight, and practical :

- Use of solar power as its energy supply
- Use of human infrared sense technology to extend lighting time
- Use of high capacity long-life lithium battery to ensure the product life of least 5 years
- No any cabling. Installation is extremely convenient.
- Waterproof structure, safe and reliable
- Easier to add new functions
- Modular design, ease of installation, maintenance and repair
- Use of AL alloy as housing material. Good rust and corrosion resistances.

Greco Solar is one of the first developers of integrated solar LED lights with exclusive advantages in solar industry. To learn more, please visit http://solar.grecogroup.cn/ .