Comments on: Kingdom of Tonga Plans for 50% Renewable Energy by 2015

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 15:45:00 +0000

Not sure what the situation is with the price..?

By: Bob_Wallace

Bob_Wallace — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 03:36:00 +0000

If I didn’t screw up the math the folks living there are paying around $0.58/kWh. (98 Seniti/kWh.)

SolarBuzz states that a residential solar system with battery backup (off grid) in a sunny climate will produce electricity at $0.31/kWh.

Since the oil generation system is already in place it would seem that solar/batteries would be perfect. If there was a stretch of weather that blocked the Sun for a few days then the generators could be brought on line.

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:47:00 +0000

One of those things that happens when writing a lot — words that sounds similar to other words slip in sometimes

By: Bazaeste

Bazaeste — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:42:00 +0000

Cool. Was waiting on confirmation before sharing. That’s awesome.

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 22:37:00 +0000

Thanks again — I updated the post and quoted you.

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:46:00 +0000

Thanks. Will take a look at my piece and correct this if I’ve made this mistake.

By: Guest

Guest — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:26:00 +0000

There is an error in the 13% figure being reported in the media. The 500kW plant will supply 13% of the annual energy requirements of the island of Vavau, not the whole kingdom of Tonga.

About 80% of the population of Tonga live on Tongatapu. The 1MW solar farm currently under construction there will generate 4-5% of annual generation of Tongatapu.

By: Zachary Shahan

Zachary Shahan — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 21:07:00 +0000

Woops, sorry, it was a slip in the text — correct is 2015.

By: Bazaeste

Bazaeste — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 20:42:00 +0000

2015 or 2050? The title says 2015 and the article says 2050.