World’s first 100 percent photovoltaic territory - SolarStar

 The South Pacific territory of Tokelau is set to become the first territory to have its electricity provided entirely by photovoltaics. The archipelago is a dependent territory of New Zealand.

The Tokelau installations could set an example right across the South Pacific.

Powersmart

While photovoltaic generated electricity remains controversial politically in some parts of the world, for the territory of Tokelau, it will provide a cost-effective and environmentally sound solution for the entire territory in the coming months.

Tokelau comprises of three atolls in the South Pacific. Photovoltaic arrays have currently been installed to one island and the installation of another two photovoltaic systems will be complete by October. 4032 modules, 392 inverters and 1344 batteries will provide electricity supply for the island. The first system on the atoll Fakaofo will be switched on in two weeks.

New Zealand solar company Powersmart is supplying and installing the project. Due to the island locations of the installations, they will have to be able to withstand cyclone force winds up to 230kmh.

Previously Tokelau relied entirely on expensive diesel to provide electricity between 15 and 18 hours a day. The territory has a population of 1,400 people across a combined land area of 10 square kilometers. Around 200 liters of fuel was previously burned for electricity daily. This required around 2,000 barrels to be shipped from New Zealand at a cost of NZD1 million (US$810,000) a year.

Powersmart director Mike Bassett-Smith said that the solution on Tokelau can be an example across the South Pacific. "Energy costs underpin the economic and social development of these nations and making a positive impact on these issues is the single most important reason we started this business."

The company claims that the project is the largest off-grid solar power project in the world and the largest solar system in the South Pacific. Coconut-oil fired generators will provide backup capacity for cloudy days.

The Tokelau project has come at a cost of NZD7.5 million (US$6.11 million) and was funded by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Even at today’s diesel prices, the array will have paid for itself in less than a decade.

"It""s going to be an amazing change from using fossil fuel," Foua Toloa, the Tokelau energy minister told New Zealand television’s 3 News, "it avoids expenses, but also bringing them there, it""s dangerous and any spill will affect the environment."

After testing is complete on Fakaofo, work will commence on the remaining atolls of Atafu and Nukunon.