By Obrein Simasiku
WINDHOEK – The construction of Namibia’s first 4.5 megawatt utility scale photovoltaic (PV) power delivery system in Omburu near Omaruru is expected to be completed in March next year.
Construction commenced in August this year.
No-Bee Marirani Ngarizemo the spokesperson of CRONIMET mining power solutions which is working together with a locally registered company InnoSun on the project, said the construction is a success so far and progressing well. CRONIMET has constructed facilities powered by an interim solar PV/battery hybrid system that provides electricity to computers, air-conditioning units, for the internet and refrigerators and also provides lighting on site.
He added that thousands of foundation holes have been drilled, while electrical cable trenches have been dug and cables laid in the trenches.
“CRONIMET is ramming the foundations for the system that the photovoltaic panels will be mounted to with a single access tracking system that will allow the PV panels to follow the sun across its east to west axis during the day to collect more of the sun’s irradiation,” explained Ngarizemo.
Ngarizemo said as a result the plant will generate up to 25 percent more energy than if the panels were mounted onto a static racking system.
“Aluminum and steel are on the site and we are now preparing to install the single axis PV panel mounting system after the foundations have been fully secured,” Ngarizemo said.
The 4.5 megawatt plant will produce 11 025 megawatts-hours of clean reliable electricity per year after completion which will be fed into the NamPower national power grid.