GHANA – Daystar Power, a distinguished hybrid solar energy provider catering to businesses and industrial manufacturers in Africa and affiliated with the Shell Group, has commissioned a 4.3 MW grid-tied solar system at Rider Steel, Ghana’s preeminent steel producer situated in Kumasi.
This stands as the most extensive distributed solar power initiative for an industrial manufacturer in Ghana. For the exclusive rooftop installation, Daystar affixed 7,524 units of 580Wp PV modules on the 30,000 m2 factory roof.
All solar panels are seamlessly linked to a remote monitoring system, facilitating preventive maintenance. With the innovative solar system, Rider Steel anticipates offsetting 49,900 tonnes of CO2 emissions throughout the installation’s 20-year lifespan.
“We are gratified to inaugurate this solar system for Rider Steel, constituting our largest project in Ghana. It serves as a compelling illustration showcasing the potential of solar energy to energize heavy industry harmoniously with the grid,” articulated Jasper Graf von Hardenberg, CEO of Daystar Power.
Rider Steel Group reaffirms its dedication to fostering a sustainable and eco-friendly future, aiming to diminish its carbon footprint.
The company is enthused to declare the initiation of a distinctive 4.3 MW solar facility in collaboration with Daystar.
This solar venture empowers Rider Steel to derive 20% of its electricity from clean and sustainable sources, accentuating the company’s commitment to advancing sustainable steel recycling in Ghana and West Africa.
Walid Al-Alami, Director of Rider Steel Ghana, extends gratitude to Daystar and its dedicated team for their steadfast efforts in ensuring the timely culmination of this initiative.
In a parallel development, Daystar Power has entered into a tripartite agreement with Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to implement its inaugural hybrid solar energy and grid-connected power system for The Wood Factory, an Abuja-based furniture manufacturer.
The 594kWp solar plant and 600kWh battery storage system mark the maiden installation, jointly developed by Daystar and the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) under a US$1.3 million feasibility study grant funded by the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
This initiative aims to optimize energy supply to Nigerian commercial and industrial (C&I) customers employing distributed solar energy and grid power.
As per the agreement’s stipulations, Daystar will finance, design, and execute the hybrid solar solution, powering The Wood Factory’s operations during peak daytime hours from 9 am to 3 pm.
Simultaneously, AEDC will assure power provision to the client for the remaining 18 hours daily. Any disruptions in grid supply will be mitigated by the 600kWh battery storage system as a backup power solution.
The Wood Factory, previously reliant solely on diesel generators, anticipates saving an estimated 44% on energy costs and reducing carbon emissions by 76% annually.
The hybrid solar and grid-connected system was conceived under a USTDA-funded US$1.3 million feasibility study, Scaling Utility-Enabled Distributed Energy Resources for Nigerian Commercial & Industrial (C&I) Customers.
This study, jointly conducted by RMI and Daystar, introduced a novel utility-enabled business model, enabling Abuja and Lagos commercial and industrial (C&I) customers to substitute polluting diesel generators with power from distributed solar, battery sources, and the national grid.
Under this model, Daystar collaborates with distribution companies in Nigeria (“DisCos”) to ensure power supply during fixed hours, while providing solar power during peak daytime hours.
Manufacturers and businesses benefit from reduced energy costs, enhanced energy security, and diminished carbon emissions, while DisCos witness increased revenues through expanded grid connections.
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