Located between Hawaii and Australia, the 500 kW on-grid solar rooftop project and a 2 MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) installed by Tuvalu Electricity Corporation in the capital, Funafuti, were recently commissioned by the Philippines-headquartered Asian Development Bank (ADB).
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What is the Tuvalu solar power project?
The Government of Tuvalu worked with the e8 group to develop the Tuvalu Solar Power Project, which is a 40 kW grid-connected solar system that is intended to provide about 5% of Funafuti 's peak demand, and 3% of the Tuvalu Electricity Corporation's annual household consumption.
Will Tuvalu achieve 100% renewables by 2030?
The pacific island nation of Tuvalu is on track to achieving its goal of 100% renewables by 2030, with the recent commissioning of a 500 kW rooftop solar project and 2 MWh battery energy storage system in it's capital Funafuti. Image: United Nations Development Programme Pacific Office
What is Tuvalu doing with the ADB?
Tuvalu, an island country midway between Hawaii and Australia, has commissioned a new solar and storage project with the ADB, featuring a 500 kW on-grid solar rooftop array and a 2 MWh BESS in the capital, Funafuti. “The project is under the Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility and has a $6 million support.
What is ADB's new solar project in Tuvalu?
“The project is under the Pacific Renewable Energy Investment Facility and has a $6 million support. It is ADB's first for Tuvalu's energy sector,” the ADB said in a statement. “The project also installed solar PV in the outer islands of Nui, Nukufetau, and Nukulaelae.”
How can Tuvalu improve its energy security?
to enhance Tuvalu's energy security by reducing its dependence on imported fuel for power generation and by improving the efficiency and sustainability of its elec-tricity system.
Due to Tuvalu's limited land area, the solar panels will run along the landing strip at Tuvalu's airport alongside the soccer field. The contract price for the solar PV facility was about $5 million, with the remaining funding provided by IDA.