Singapore-based SP Group (SP), a utility group and sustainable energy solutions provider in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region, will invest in its first batch of agrivoltaic assets in Guangdong province, China.
The project, located at four agricultural sites in Dabu County, Meizhou City in Guangdong Province, will boast of the integration of solar photovoltaics (PV) with 7.8 Megawatt-hours (MWh) of battery energy storage systems, with a total installed capacity of 78 Megawatt-peak (MWp).
In its statement, the firm said that the solar-plus-storage model will enhance the stability and resilience of the power grid and will have the potential to support peak times of high electricity demand and supply.
It is slated to be completed at the end of this year,the project is will account for annual contribution of 91.3 Gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity to the power grid and help Meizhou avoid over 91,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. The clean energy, thus, generated is expected to help the region in cutting down the the usage of coal by close to 30,000 tonnes and also there will be more than 2,700 tonnes and 1,360 tonnes reduction in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, respectively.
The project is enhanced with digital energy management solutions to manage solar generation and monitor storage of solar power based on intelligent insights and data.
Agrivoltaics enables the strategic co-location of agriculture activities with solar energy generation infrastructure.This unique system offers rural farmers the opportunity to diversify their income source and can help them enhance crop yield.In addition,it can also increase green energy supply and help China achieve its climate ambitions of achieving peak carbon use by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060.
Michael Zhong, Managing Director, China, SP Group said, “The symbiosis of solar photovoltaic systems and the agricultural sector offers great potential for us to support China’s clean energy transition and to uplift local communities. As part of our long-term commitment to China, we will actively explore and invest in innovative and diversified sustainable energy opportunities to expand our footprint across China, driving sustainable development and decarbonisation for its cities and districts.”
SP Group already has a presence in renewable energy sector in China in 13 provinces viz. Anhui, Chongqing, Fujian, Guangdong, Jiangsu, Sichuan, Shanghai, Shandong and Zhejiang.
