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Resource World - Dec-Jan 2015 - Vol 13 Iss 1

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D E C E M B E R / J A N U A R Y 2 0 1 5 www.resourceworld.com 57 CI Energy Group's 9 th Annual BC Power Sy mp osium January 27 – 28, 2015  |  Four Seasons Hotel  |  Vancouver There have been several important evolutionary developments in BC's power market with signifi cant decisions yet to be made. Find out from our roster of leading experts what potential impacts and opportunities lie ahead for your organization. REGISTER NOW • 1-877-927-7936 www.CanadianInstitute.com/BCPower @CI_Energy #BCpower Please quote priority service code for Resource World readers: 266BX02 relationship between solar and the gen- erator," he said. That is to say, that when the grid fails, an automatic changeover switch turns on the generator, switching off the solar system in the process because it senses a problem. On the other hand, when the grid is back online, the generator turns on the solar inverters and the control system recognizes that the grid is back, thereby synchronizing to the diesel gen- erator to provide power. "What the SFS does is protect the die- sel generator in situations where the solar system is generating a great deal of power. This is an important message to all clients, who are hesitant to put up solar-diesel gen- erator systems in fear that the solar system may damage the generator," said Davies. While batteries are becoming more and more efficient, the battery-diesel generator systems have one big disadvantage, unlike the solar-diesel generator combination. Batteries are very expensive. Even though solar power cannot stand alone, with- out back-up power from other sources, Lawrence does not see this as a limitation when it comes to adoption of solar power. As a matter of fact, he sees many oppor- tunities in Kenya and East Africa. In his view, the solar industry in the West has survived on subsidies. "In Kenya, there are no subsidies, which actually creates a more sustainable and viable market," he noted. And with an irradiation of more than 6kWh/m 2 , Lawrence reckons that the country has enough of the resource. What's more, the government has made all imported solar equipment duty and VAT exempt. When all is said and done though, he feels that the feed-in-tariff of US $0.12 does not augur well for the industry, considering that the solar costs have come down dra- matically over the last 15 years. East African Solar is looking at both the captive market and the arrangement where the solar park feeds into the national grid for growth. "The captive market is whereby the solar aspect is contributing to, or is attached to the business, like a steel plant or a textile factory, as is the case, with Williamson Tea," he explained. n

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