Value	:	US$35 million
Capacity	:	20MW
Type	:	Utility Scale Solar Photovoltaic
CEC interest	:	100%
Location	:	Copperbelt Province, Zambia
Life	:	25 years

CEC is developing a 20MW PV solar plant on the Copperbelt that will generate clean, reliable energy. The project will be developed using polycrystalline PV modules and central inverter technology, and is expected to have a life of more than 20 years.

The plant is expected to generate an average annual energy yield of approximately 39GWh over 20 years of operation and is scheduled to begin ‘operation in 2018.

[clear]

ADVANTAGES

[one_half]

EMPLOYMENT
AND PARTNERSHIPS

A PV system constructed to this size will create jobs for approximately 200 locals – unskilled, semi-skilled and professionals.

The project development success is anchored on partnerships with several renewable energy players – consultants, developers, financiers, government, learning institutions.[/one_half][one_half_last]

HIGH RELIABILITY
AND LOW MAINTENANCE

PV solar systems have no moving parts and require minimum maintenance. The primary maintenance task is keeping the panels clean!

The solar PV modules are extremely reliable and they have warranties of 20/25 years and should keep working beyond that as long as the sun is shining![/one_half_last] [clear] [one_half]

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Electricity produced from solar cells is clean and silent. PV systems do not release any harmful air or water pollution into the environment , they neither deplete natural resources nor endanger human health. Photovoltaic systems are quiet and visually unobtrusive.[/one_half][one_half_last]

SUSTAINABILITY

Solar energy is a locally available renewable resource. It does not need to be imported from other regions of the country or across the world. This reduces environmental impacts associated with transportation, thus contributing to reducing the country’s need for imported oil. And, unlike fuels that are mined and harvested, when we use solar energy to produce electricity we do not deplete or alter the resource.[/one_half_last]