Renewable

June 8 (Renewables Now) - SolarWorld Americas Inc said Wednesday it will supply 1.2 MW of solar panels for a water project at refugee settlements in western Tanzania.

The panels will power water-filtration systems serving more than 250,000 Congolese and Burundian people living in the refugee settlements. According to the US arm of insolvent German photovoltaics (PV) manufacturer SolarWorld AG (ETR:SWV) this is the largest solar-powered, safe-water treatment project in the world.

The project is managed by Water Mission, a charitable strategic partner of SolarWorld to which the company is selling the panels at favorable prices. It is funded by the Poul Due Jensen Foundation.

The aim of the initiative is to pump 100% of the water using solar power, with diesel generators as backup. According to Water Mission estimates, the cost of the project will be recovered in about nine years by ending the expenses for the diesel generators. An additional USD 1.3 million (EUR 1.2m) will be saved over the next 15 years.

(USD 1 = EUR 0.980)