With funding from the United Kingdom's Global Challenges Research fund (UKRI-GCRF) and the University of Sheffield, an international research partnership between universities in the UK, the Centre for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), and local organizations in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda was formed to explore the potential of agrivoltaics in East Africa.
Does East Africa have a solar agrivoltaics system?
East Africa launches its first solar and agricultural combined system. 55% of East Africa still don't have access to electricity The Agrivoltaics system has been developed to solve both electricity and crop production problems.
The unrealised capacity for PV technologies to meet energy needs in East Africa is enormous: the region receives an average of 4.0–6.9 kWh/m 2 /day of solar insolation, which could deliver universal electricity access, yet solar electricity accounts for less than one percent of the electricity generation mix.
Where are East African power solar projects located?
The two solar projects, with an installed capacity of 133 MW each, are located in Katanga and Lualaba provinces. The Trade and Development Bank (TDB) supports East African Power in the project preparation process to achieve financial close in 2024.
Who is East African power?
An integrated renewable energy development company delivering affordable and reliable clean energy. East African Power is a long-term, SR-driven business developing, building, and operating utility-scale, small and medium hydro and solar power plants in Sub-Saharan Africa.
How many solar projects will East African power build?
East African Power says it will build two 133 MW solar projects. The installations have 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with the national utility, Société Nationale de l'Electricité (SNEL). Canadian renewables company East African Power (EAP) has acquired an 85% stake in two solar projects in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Can agrivoltaic energy systems improve agricultural productivity in East Africa?
Access to energy is a widespread problem across East Africa, where 55 per cent of the population still do not have reliable electricity. Agrivoltaic energy systems can significantly improve the productivity of crops because the shade provided by the panel arrays reduces heat stress and water loss.