Located in Nairobi, Kenya, Energiebau Solarstromsysteme GmbH reportedly installed the 515 kilowatt peak solar system over a period of three months. It was connected to the grid on Monday, February 21, during the UN Global Ministerial Environment Forum. According to the German company, it is the first climate-neutral office building in Africa.
Energiebau says it worked with a team of Germans and Africans, and planned and installed the system in close co-operation with, and incorporating, technology from Schott Solar and SMA Solar Technology AG. Meanwhile, Japanese company Kaneka supplied the 4,000 solar modules. Around 750,000 kilowatt hours of energy are expected to be generated annually.
"Photovoltaics is developing into an important factor for the climate-neutral architecture of the future," managing director of Energiebau Michael Schäfer explained. "The importance of the developing east African market is reflected by the level of commitment to this flagship project, highlighting solar energy's potential and performance capacity in Africa."
Hendrik Linneweber, GIZ Kenya Country Director added: "Local installers are being trained by Energiebau as part of its development partnership with the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)." However, it has been said that in the future, Kenyan installers will be trained in their own solar academy in cooperation with local training institutions, and Schott Solar and SMA.
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