Will a new solar micro-grid change Vanuatu's lives?

(Photo: Ian Iercet) On the remote island of Malekula, the second-largest island in Vanuatu, a new solar micro-grid is changing the lives of over 2,800 people - boosting local development while contributing to Vanuatu’s sector specific target of transitioning to close to 100 percent renewable energy for electricity by 2030.

Is solar PV a viable option for other islands of Vanuatu?

Options for other islands of Vanuatu. At this time, solar PV is recommended as the only practical and cost effective option for these particular islands as it is the only significant resource available that is known from experience elsewhere to be sustainable for energy production in remote rural villages.

Does Vanuatu have a good solar energy resource?

Vanuatu generally has a good solar energy resource for all islands. Vanuatu’s Meteorological Services has collected solar insolation data at several sites for many years using high-quality pyranometers.

Is there a 75 kW solar system in Vanuatu?

A 75 kW system (described in Section 3.3) has been constructed in Maewo and there are reportedly a few very small privately-built systems (under 5 kW) in various parts of Vanuatu but no information was located on these, except a 3 kW Pelton system about to be commissioned in Pentecost (also described in Section 3.3).

Can a remote island of Vanuatu develop a rural energy system?

However, it is likely that other technologies such as biofuel, wind and small hydro may be technically and economically feasible for some remote islands of Vanuatu and should be considered when planning for nationwide rural energy development.

Does Vanuatu have horizontal solar insolation?

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is publishing a Global Atlas for Renewable Energy which includes broad, indicative data for horizontal solar insolation for Vanuatu based largely on the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) satellite data that has been gathered over the past thirty years.