Solar power saves Egyptian farmer fuel every month

The Egyptian energy sector is currently undergoing a rapid transformation into greener and more sustainable power sources. The aim is that 20% of the electricity is being generated from renewable sources by 2022 and 42% by 2035. So far, the energy sector primarily has been based on fossil fuel. However, the country’s high wind speeds, climate and location make solar and wind power a great alternative for sustainable energy. 

In close cooperation with Gila Electric Al Tawakol and DEIF’s distributor ATOS Generator in Egypt, DEIF delivered a control solution to the farmer’s three existing gensets (400/250/110 KVA). DEIF provided Al Tawakol with the technical solution and DEIF’s Egyptian distributor and genset packager ATOS Generators supplied the components.

The three older gensets are now being controlled by DEIF’s ASC-4 solar controller and MIC power meters. The MIC power meter sends signals to the ASC-4 controller that optimises the consumption.

The installation and commissioning went very smooth, and in only three days, the plant was up and running. The results so far are convincing and during the first month, the owner of the farm reduced his monthly fuel consumption with 50,000 litres, equalling approximately a fourth of his monthly consumption.

The plant has been in operation for three months now, and it is running stable and efficient, and the cooperation has been smooth and professional”, explains Eng. Mohamed El-Shinawy. The farmer is happy with the current results and currently, the second phase of the project is initiated, which is an expansion of the solar power plant. The project will include adding two additional generators which will be controlled by the ASC controller and MIC power meters. 

Renewables are booming

Egypt’s Feed-in-Tariff program initiative aims at promoting renewables, and several projects are in the pipeline. Both Gila Al Tawakol Electric and ATOS Generators are currently working on several upcoming PV power projects, and according to Commissioning & Testing Engineer Rami Mansour from ATOS Generators the launch of DEIF’s new AGC 150 hybrid controller opens up for new possibilities.

"The new AGC-150 Hybrid controller is very suitable for customers with smaller and more simple setups as it is less expensive, I believe this controller is going to be installed in several PV plants in Egypt”, Rami concludes.