23 companies accredited for national project of small solar cell systems

Support of up to $37,500 from UNDP, GEF for implementation of stations in industrial sector

The National Project for Solar Cell Systems (Egypt-pv) adopted a pilot list of 23 solar energy companies for the implementation of small solar cell projects.
“The solar cell systems are funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The project is being implemented in cooperation with the Industrial Modernisation Centre,” said Hind Farouh, the project manager.
She added that financial support equivalent to 25% of the value of solar cell systems is provided for industrial sector projects, with a subsidy of $250 per kilowatt installed, and a maximum of $37,500 for capacities up to 150 kW.
Technical support is also provided in the issuance of guidelines for the design and installation of solar cell systems, such as paper and electronic copies, and the design, implementation, and operation of a technical system for the deployment of solar cell systems on the basis of a scalable system.
The project aims to support the spread of the use of small solar cells, especially decentralised production plants that are installed in residential and commercial buildings, public buildings, hotels, and industrial facilities, which is a catalyst for the spread of the use of small solar stations connected to the network.
In addition, it aims to establish centres to provide technical support and consultancy, increase the percentage of the locally-manufactured components, prepare technical cadres, support the emerging markets of this technology in Egypt with new employment opportunities for youth, and remove barriers to increase the production of energy from small solar cells.
Daily News Egypt received the list of companies, which includes Onasolar, Summit, Solar Installer, Petrotech, OneraSystems, TEC Merge, Arab African, GridTech Energy, GTS, IRSC, Smart Solar, Solera, and Emco.
The list also includes the Arab Organisation for Industrialisation, Solaris Egypt, Complete Energy, CairoSolar, Solar Sol, Green Power, SolarShams, and EGE.
Farouh added that the project will create a significant shift in the renewable energy market and contribute to the expansion of electricity supply to meet the ever-increasing demand without additional state subsidies or the need to invest in major power plants.
Wael Al-Nashar, chairperson of Onera Systems, said the project will help achieve the Ministry of Electricity's plan to produce 20% of total energy from renewable sources.
It also helps individuals, families, and entities to produce their energy, rather than just consume it, and it promotes a base of skilled technical engineers in the field of solar cell systems, as well as increases the opportunities for local manufacturing of solar system components.