Jul 19, 2023 · Guyana government moving to close energy gap between coast and hinterland. The undertaking, formally known as the ''30,000 solar home systems'' project, was designed to
In Guyana, solar energy is used for several purposes, including drying agricultural produce, irrigation, ICT, and to improve electricity access in rural areas. Under the Hinterland Electrification Programme, in excess of 19,000 solar PV systems had been installed in nearly 200 communities by 2018.
The main electric utility, Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) is preparing plans for 3 utility scale solar PV farms totaling 30 MW for the national grid in the long term, as well as 0.75 MW Solar PV Farm at Wakenaam and a 4 MW Solar PV Farm at Onverwagt in the near future.
As a result, most locations across Guyana have excellent solar insolation levels and are ideal for solar PV generation. As at 2018, the total installed capacity for Solar PV in Guyana is 4.63 MW with an estimated annual generation of 7.16 GWh.
In addition, 1.184 MW of solar PV systems will be installed at 80 public buildings in all 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana in 2019. These installations will result in estimated savings of G$114 million and avoiding 1,415 tons of CO 2 emissions per year.
Guyana is currently dependent on imported petroleum-based fuels as its main source of energy.
Solar energy is primarily being installed in the hinterland/remote areas of the country. Currently under the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme, a number of communities have received solar photovoltaic’s home systems. In 2007, a number of Regions benefitted from solar photovoltaic projects, some of which are listed below:
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