The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has extended its solar panel project by 35kWp in order to increase capacity at the agency.
This comes after the project, dubbed the Greening Moonshot Initiative, has since its installation generated more income than initially invested into the scheme.
“Since installation in October 2016, the solar system at the UN House has generated a total revenue of N$2.3 million (US$120,059), compared to an initial investment of N$2.2 million (US$117,000), resulting in a six-year payback period,” Common Services Associate at UNDP, Toivo Shikongo said.
Shikongo further explained that the UN House has a renewable fraction of about 35% annually which has significantly reduced the office’s reliance on the national grid.
“Producing total energy of 78.91MWh and reducing carbon emissions by 4,261 kilos annually, the office has reduced monthly electricity expenditures by half, setting a new milestone under UNDP’s Greening Moonshot Initiative,” Shikongo said.
“The solar photovoltaic (PV) system has decreased the office’s reliance on the national grid, while effectively reducing the office’s contribution to the climate crisis in a country that is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to increasing widespread droughts and reliance on agriculture for rural livelihoods,” said Shikongo
According to Shikongo, the project has been a success as the agency has been selling power back to the grid since its inception.
“Since the installation, we have been able to sell back power to the Municipality, amounting to approximately N$120,000. On average, this translates to around N$20,000 per year over the course of six years,” Shikongo stated.
Shikongo further explained that the recovery of the initial investment amount was key to expanding the project.
