Solar tracking guarantees high yield for off grid energy supply

Horb a.N. (Germany) / Jamarj-e Bala (Afghanistan), November 24, 2014. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) relies on solar tracking systems “made in Germany”. The DEGERtrackers are situated in Jamarj-e Bala, Afghanistan, near the border with Tajikistan. They supply the UNDP facilities located there with solar power. Withmore than 55.000 systems in 53 countries, DEGER is the world market leader for solar tracking systems.

A new solar plant has been constructed in a remote region of Afghanistan consisting of eight single axis DEGER systems, model TOPtracker 8.5. The solar panels are installed facing south at a 40º angle with a total capacity is 10KW.

The solar power generated with this system is used to supply the UNDP facilities located in the Afghan province of Velayat-e Badakhshan, in the village Jamarj-e Bala at an altitude of 1574 meters above sea level. In locations such as these, solar power generation demonstrates clear advantages over traditional types of power generation where facilities do not have any access to a public electrical grid.

The DEGER trackers work on the principle of DEGER´s MLD* technology. They align the solar modules automatically with the point in the sky that provides the greatest energy. For this reason, DEGER systems achieve significantly greater yields than fixed installed solar systems. Solar energy which is not consumed is stored in batteries in order to have sufficient electric power at night or with bad weather conditions.

DEGER CEO Hünkar Korkmaz: “We are very pleased that UNDP relies on DEGER tracking systems. This underlines once again that our MLD technology is definitely the best solution when it comes to ensuring a solid power supply, generated with solar energy in off grid applications. Plus, it gives us the chance to demonstrate the excellent functionality and stability of the DEGER systems and their high yields in this region.”

Acceptance after bidding

The Jamarj-e Bala project traces back to an invitation to bid from the UNDP, won by the Tajik company Systemavtomatika AG, which constructed the solar park as well. Systemavtomatika has more than 20 years experience in conception, installation, implementation, maintenance and operation of renewable energy and security systems.

Responsible for purchasing, transport, handling and coordination of the project was Taybro Consulting Service, located in Horb, Germany. CEO Abror Nurulloev: “As far as we know these are the first tracking systems ever implemented in Afghanistan.”

In this region there are many aluminum factories consuming very high amount of energy. “Logically, those companies are very interested in DEGER systems for their efficiency and increased generation of solar power, and we do hope that we can deliver more DEGER systems into that region in the future.”

Background:

DEGER´s MLD* technology is based on a unique, patented light sensor which aligns the solar modules automatically with the point in the sky that provides the greatest energy.For this reason, DEGER systems achieve significant greater yields than other solar systems, regardless of their geographical position.

*Maximum Light Detection