Sungrow hybrid solar-storage microgrid powers five islands in the Maldives

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Sungrow has supplied all the equipment for the project, including PV and storage inverters, the energy management system, and lithium-ion batteries. Source: Sungrow

Major PV inverter manufacturer Sungrow has installed a hybrid solar-diesel-storage system for five islands in the Maldives, consisting of 2.7MWp of solar and 700kW / 333kWh of energy storage.

Sungrow has supplied all the equipment for the project, including PV and storage inverters, the energy management system, and lithium-ion batteries by the Sungrow-Samsung SDI joint venture. The equipment is set to efficiently utilise the abundant solar resources and be fully integrated into the existing diesel network.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

The Maldives is a popular tourist destination now facing critical environmental challenges posed by climate change and rising sea-levels. With an average ground-level elevation of 1.5 metres above sea level, it is the world's lowest country and its government has pledged to make the Maldives a carbon-neutral country by 2019. The islands are typically dependent on expensive diesel power and suffer from both poor quality power and high electricity costs.

The five islands – Addu, Villingili, Kurendhoo, Buruni, and Goidho – are now equipped with the PV-diesel- hybrid energy storage microgrid, which provides stable and high quality power. The solar diesel component offsets the variable generation of solar PV, while the storage stores energy during the night and times of low irradiation, and provides frequency regulation and ramp-rate control capabilities. Therefore, such hybrid projects area ideal for island territories that often lack grid access.

The project is estimated to save US$1.4 million in fuel costs and meet more than 30% of local domestic and office energy demands, providing sustainable economic value to the islands.

“Sungrow has developed a complete system solution for load-shifting, peak-shaving, microgrid, and frequency regulation,” said Renxian Cao, president of Sungrow. “By the end of 2016, Sungrow has successfully completed over 400 energy storage projects globally and has an accumulated installation of over 1GWh. We'll continue to support the Maldives in their efforts to reduce power cost and protect the environment.”

In other news, Sungrow is building another record 150MW floating solar project in China.

Read Next

February 14, 2025
Muswellbrook Shire Council in New South Wales, Australia, has backed a solar module recycling mandate for a 135MW solar PV plant being developed by Swedish solar developer OX2.
February 11, 2025
AEMO has said that, at the end of 2024, the connections pipeline for Australia's NEM stood at 49.6GW, up 36% year-on-year.
February 7, 2025
Three investments into the US community solar sector paint a picture of a fast-growing sector being targeted by private asset managers.
February 6, 2025
Samsung C&T Renewable Energy Australia has submitted a 250MW solar-plus-BESS site in New South Wales to the Australian government’s EPBC Act.
February 6, 2025
Potentia Energy is set to acquire controlling stakes in a 1.2GW renewable energy generation and energy storage portfolio in Australia.
February 3, 2025
The company announced last week that the Desert Quartzite project in Riverside County, California, began operations in December 2024.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
February 17, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
February 19, 2025
Tokyo, Japan
Solar Media Events
March 11, 2025
Frankfurt, Germany