Who is financing a solar energy project in the Solomon Islands?

The Asian Development Bank, Saudi Fund for Development, and Solomon Power are all financing the project. A project is now underway on the Solomon Islands to help the country accelerate its renewable energy generation.

How much will a solar PV project cost in Solomon Islands?

Component 3: US$ 2.5 million is allocated to add grid-connected solar power to contribute to the overall share of renewable energy in Solomon Islands' energy mix.

How will solar power benefit the Solomon Islands?

By increasing the generation capacity of renewable energy facilities, solar power will provide access to electricity for low-income households in peri-urban and rural areas of the Solomon Islands.

How is the Solomon Islands project funded?

The project is being funded by a $10 million concessional loan and a $5 million grant from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), while the Saudi Fund for Development and state-owned Solomon Power are providing $10 million each. The government of the Solomon Islands is providing $7 million.

How many solar homes are there in the Solomon Islands?

“Solomon Islands currently has one of the lowest levels of access to electricity in the region, with over 85% of the population of Solomon Islands still without access to electricity and for this project alone, we received over 6,000 applications to obtain only 2,000 solar home systems,” said Mr Aimaea.

Can photovoltaics be used for rural electrification in the Solomon Islands?

The success of the Sukiki project in the Solomon Islands, where photovoltaics are used for rural electrification, has brought delight to the government and people. They hope that continued use of photovoltaics for rural electrification will serve as a beacon of hope, not just for the Solomons but for the rest of the world as well.