Cameroon photovoltaic glass

Are solar power plants a reality in Cameroon?

The facilities, which have been in service for several months, serve the northern part of Cameroon. Large-scale solar energy production is now a reality in Cameroon. On Friday 22 September 2023, Cameroon’s Minister of Water and Energy Gaston Eloundou Essomba inaugurated two photovoltaic solar power plants in the Far North and North regions.

Which solar systems are used in Cameroon?

The stand-alone solar PV-systems are the most predominantly used in Cameroon. In some circumstances, batteries are used as back-up systems for stand-alone systems. Other than for residential lighting, stand-alone solar systems are now being used in street lighting in cities like Buea and Yaoundé.

What is a hybrid PV system in Cameroon?

Hybrid systems entail the combination of PV modules and another means of electricity generation including but not limited to gas, wind or diesel generator and often require a more sophisticated control compared to the stand-alone PV-systems. The stand-alone solar PV-systems are the most predominantly used in Cameroon.

How much does PV electricity cost in Cameroon?

Studies by Ayompe and Duffy revealed a levelized cost of PV generated electricity in Cameroon in the order of 6.79 €c/kW h to 28.82 €c/kW h, which is lower compared to the unit electrical cost obtained for this study.

Why is solar power so expensive in Cameroon?

The high unit cost of PV generated electricity in Cameroon could be associated to the high cost of solar PV modules . It is worthy of note that the current tariff for grid electricity supplied to the residential sector in the country is €c12 kW h −1 (79 CFA/kW h).

How much solar radiation does Cameroon receive a year?

The national average of solar radiation received in Cameroon in a year stands at 4.2824 kW h/m 2 /day. Given the countries surface area is 475,442 km 2, therefore the total solar potential in Cameroon is 4.2824 kW h/m 2 /day * 475,442,000,000 m 2 * 365 days = 7.432 × 10 8 GWh per year.