PLN operates hybrid solar power plant in Bangka Belitung
Thursday, March 28 2019 - 11:50 PM WIB
State-owned electricity firm PT PLN had on Tuesday started operation of a hybrid solar power plant on Celagen Island, Bangka Selatan Regency, Bangka Belitung Province.
PLN said in a statement issued Thursday that this is the first hybrid solar power plant in Sumatra.
The utility said that the hybrid solar power plant combines the use of solar power technology and diesel-fired power generation as back-up.
The statement said that excess power produced by the solar panels are stored in battery, which will then supply electricity when sunlight diminishes during cloudy days or night time. The diesel power generating unit will be deployed to produce electricity when the battery runs low or power load exceeds the capacity of the inverter.
The power plant has a capacity of 80 kWp, supported with a 1,000 kVA inverter, and battery with capacity of 350 kWh, and diesel generating unit of 100 kVA.
General Manager of PLN’s Bangka Belitung Regional office, Abdul Mukhlis said in the statement that the hybrid solar power plant forms part of efforts to help meet the government’s target for renewables to account for 23 percent of the country’s energy mix by 2025.
He said that the operation of the hybrid solar power plant is the first step in a grand strategy of PLN Bangka Belitung Office where in 2020 all small islands in Bangka Belitung will get power supply from renewable sources.
He pointed out as an example that at the end of this year, a hybrid solar power plant will be operated on Bukulimau Island.
Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak