The solar power panel system in An Binh island. (Photo: VNA)Quang Ngai (VNA) – Life in An Binh Island, alsoknown as Be Island, in Ly Son island district, the central province of QuangNgai has changed since solar power was introduced.
Together with a system of diesel power generators, the AnBinh Power Plant has put into use a solar power facility, comprising 300 IREXsolar panels with total capacity of 96kW, 100kW grid-connected inverters and72kW battery inverters.
Thanks to the combined system of diesel and solar powergenerators which produce about 700 kWh daily, more than 100 local families havestable and constant access to power. Previously, the island only had electricity forsome of the day.
Now, their quality of life has improved as many familieshave more electrical appliances in their homes, particularly televisions.
Owners of restaurants on the island are among thehappiest. They used to not dare to buy refrigerators to store food due toelectricity shortages, but now many have purchased large-capacity fridges toprovide better services to tourists.
The system has also helped cut electricity costs.According to Nguyen Van Hong from An Binh seawater desalination plant, it usedto cost the plant about 2.1 million VND (92.4 USD) per day using diesel powerbut with the new system, the cost was cut by more than two-thirds to only600,000 VND (26.4 USD) per day.
The solar system also allowed the plant to operate forlonger hours to ensure water supply for the locals, he added.
Be Island has had a facelift, especially in tourism,thanks to solar power, said Huynh Luy, Secretary of the Party Committee of AnBinh Commune. Before, tourists normally only visited the island for a day; nowthey can stay for several days as homestay services and other facilities havedeveloped. The local average income has been raised to more than 21 million VND(924 USD) per person per year.-VNA
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